Gaseous hydrocarbons formation heating device

A method of hydrocarbon recovery, the method comprising:

• A. providing a gaseous hydrocarbons formation heating device comprising:
• i) a plurality of heating elements permanently installed on production tubing in a wellbore of a gaseous hydrocarbons formation comprising a reservoir of gaseous hydrocarbons operably linked to the production tubing, wherein the plurality of heating elements comprises a pair of individual, independently controllable heating elements configured such that the plurality of heating elements provide the production tubing a temperature profile that is non-cylindrically symmetrical;
• ii) a controller configured to control temperature of the plurality of heating elements;
• and
• iii) a plurality of sensors, each of the sensors configured to
• a. measure a parameter selected from a group consisting of a temperature profile of the plurality of heating elements, a temperature distribution of liberated gaseous hydrocarbons in the production tubing, and a gaseous hydrocarbons flow profile of liberated gaseous hydrocarbons in the production tubing;
• and
• b. transmit input signals to the controller reflecting the measured parameter;
• and
• B. heating the plurality of heating elements and increasing the temperature of the plurality of heating elements to between 200 to 325° F. for a heating period to propagate heat into the reservoir of gaseous hydrocarbons;
• C. adjusting with the controller the temperature of the plurality of heating elements during the heating period based on the signals transmitted to the controller from the plurality of sensors;
• and thereby providing the production tubing the non-cylindrically symmetrical temperature profile, creating a zone of heated hydrocarbons adjacent the production tubing and generating the liberated gaseous hydrocarbons;
• wherein the zone of heated hydrocarbons encompasses a hydraulic fracture;
• wherein the heat propagated into the reservoir of gaseous hydrocarbons is transient, keeps reaching new fronts throughout the heating period, and extends to a length of the hydraulic fracture comprising from 55 to 90 feet during the heating period;
• and
• D. recovering the liberated gaseous hydrocarbons by transporting the liberated gaseous hydrocarbons from the production tubing to the Earth's surface.