Method and device for in-situ conveying of bitumen or very heavy oil
First Claim
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1. A method for in-situ conveying of bitumen or very heavy oil from sand deposits as resevoirs by applying thermal energy to the reservoir in order to reduce the viscosity of the bitumen or very heavy oil, the method comprising:
- heating and liquefying the bitumen or very heavy oil by means of a inductive conductor loop, to such a degree that it is in a condition to be led away using an extraction pipe;
compensating the inductivity of the inductive conductor loop section by section; and
arranging the inductive conductor loop and the extraction pipe relative to one another such that an extraction rate is maximized,wherein the inductive conductor loop is subdivided into three inductive sub-condustors,wherein a plurality of currents in the three inductive sub-conductors are routed with a predetermined phase displacement,wherein adjusted inductor currents are selected in different phases of the method, according to a plurality of modes of operation, in order to adjust advantageous heating output distributions,wherein a first mode of operation is defined as including one inductive sub-conductor as a forward conductor and two inductive sub-conductors as return conductors and uses a generator as an alternating current source and a phase displacement between the three inductive sub-conductors is 120°
,wherein a second mode of operation includes a current feed having a same amplitude and 120°
phase displacement, three phase current, a uniform heating output for the three inductive subconductors is obtained, andwherein a third mode of operation includes at least partially discontinuing one inductive sub-conductor, using one inductive sub-conductor as a forward conductor and one inductive sub-conductor as a return conductor.
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Abstract
A method is for conveying bitumen or heavy oil in a deposit is provided. The bitumen or very heavy oil is liquefied by way of an inductive conductor loop as a heater and is led away using an extraction pipe, wherein the conductor loop and the extraction pipe are disposed relative to one another such that the heating and thus extraction of bitumen or very heavy oil is maximized. To this end, one of the conductors of the conductor loop is disposed substantially vertically above the extraction pipe.
13 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for in-situ conveying of bitumen or very heavy oil from sand deposits as resevoirs by applying thermal energy to the reservoir in order to reduce the viscosity of the bitumen or very heavy oil, the method comprising:
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heating and liquefying the bitumen or very heavy oil by means of a inductive conductor loop, to such a degree that it is in a condition to be led away using an extraction pipe; compensating the inductivity of the inductive conductor loop section by section; and arranging the inductive conductor loop and the extraction pipe relative to one another such that an extraction rate is maximized, wherein the inductive conductor loop is subdivided into three inductive sub-condustors, wherein a plurality of currents in the three inductive sub-conductors are routed with a predetermined phase displacement, wherein adjusted inductor currents are selected in different phases of the method, according to a plurality of modes of operation, in order to adjust advantageous heating output distributions, wherein a first mode of operation is defined as including one inductive sub-conductor as a forward conductor and two inductive sub-conductors as return conductors and uses a generator as an alternating current source and a phase displacement between the three inductive sub-conductors is 120°
,wherein a second mode of operation includes a current feed having a same amplitude and 120°
phase displacement, three phase current, a uniform heating output for the three inductive subconductors is obtained, andwherein a third mode of operation includes at least partially discontinuing one inductive sub-conductor, using one inductive sub-conductor as a forward conductor and one inductive sub-conductor as a return conductor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A device for use in a reservoir or deposit for bitumen and/or very heavy oil to convey bitumen or very heavy oil from oil sand deposits or reservoir, comprising:
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at least two linearly extended conductors, wherein the at least two linearly extended conductors are routed in parallel in a horizontal alignment at a predetermined depth of the reservoir, wherein a plurality of ends of the conductors are electrically conductively connected inside or outside of the reservoir and together form a conductor loop which realizes a predetermined complex resistance and are connected outside of the reservoir to an external alternating current generator for electrical power, and wherein an inductivity of the conductor loop is compensated section by section and with one of the conductors of the conductor loop arranged essentially at a right angle above production pipe. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification