Electromagnetic wave concentrated heating and heat-activated chemical reactions of enhanced sensitizers for enhanced oil recovery
AssigneeEspark Energy Inc.
InventorsSimon Park, Seonghwan Kim, Rushi Vyas
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Abstract
Methods, systems and apparatus for enhanced oil recovery utilizing enhanced sensitizers with chemical blowing agents (CBAs) includes irradiation of electromagnetically activated sensitizers with electromagnetic (EM) waves. The injected enhanced sensitizers absorb the energy from EM waves which increases the temperature. The elevated temperature then activates chemical blowing agents to aid in fluidity of heavy oil or bitumen extractions. The released gases from CBAs also aid in upgrading by releasing desired gases which in turn reduces long hydrocarbon chains at elevated temperature along with catalysts.
Claims14
A method for increasing fluidity of hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon bearing formation comprising:
- injecting electromagnetically activated sensitizers into the formation;
- injecting chemical blowing agents into the formation;
- irradiating the formation with electromagnetic frequencies suitable for activating the sensitizers thereby heating the hydrocarbon bearing formation and reducing a viscosity of the hydrocarbons therein;
- and
- extracting the hydrocarbons,
- wherein heating the formation further comprises heating the chemical blowing agents for creating a gas and additional heat for further reduction of viscosity of the hydrocarbons.
An electromagnetically activated sensitizer for increasing fluidity of hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon bearing formation for use in enhanced oil recovery comprising at least one of:
- an electromagnetically activated activator;
- a catalyst;
- a chemical blowing agent;
- and
- a thermoplastic polymer matrix for binding at least one of the electromagnetically activated activator and the catalyst coated or mixed with as a coating for coating one the chemical blowing agent.
A method for manufacturing an enhanced sensitizer comprising:
- admixing a thermoplastic polymer with a mixture comprising at least carbon based energy activator;
- homogeneously dispersing the thermoplastic polymer and the mixture, creating a coating mixture;
- and
- uniformly spraying the coating mixture to cover or mix with at least one chemical blowing agent to create the enhanced sensitizer.
A method of delivering enhanced sensitizers into a hydrocarbon bearing formation comprising:
- cyclic injection of the enhanced sensitizers into the hydrocarbon bearing formation;
- and
- activation of the enhanced sensitizers using the electromagnetic radiation through repeated dilation and injection steps,
- wherein injection of the enhanced sensitizers can further comprise injection of chemical blowing agents, surfactants, steam, petrochemicals such as diesel or solvents, along with the enhanced sensitizers for creating a gas and additional heat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.