System and methods for increasing the permeability of geological formations
OwnerGeorge W. Niemanninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of increasing a permeability of a strata includes positioning an electromagnetic tool at a first location of the strata, generating a first time-varying magnetic field using the electromagnetic tool, and applying a first time-varying magnetic force to a first magnetic material of the strata using the first time-varying magnetic field, where the strata includes a first plurality of pores. The method further includes fracturing the strata to increase the permeability of the strata proximate the first location using the first time-varying magnetic force.
Claims20
A system for recovering carbon fuel, the system comprising:
- a surface control unit;
- and
- a down-hole tool unit connected to the surface control unit, the down-hole tool unit comprising:
- a first electromagnet;
- and
- a first control unit electrically coupled to the first electromagnet,
- wherein the down-hole tool unit is configured to generate a time-varying electromagnetic field, and to apply a time-varying magnetic force to a rock formation within a coverage area of the down-hole tool unit using the time-varying electromagnetic field, wherein the time-varying electromagnetic field within the coverage area is above a pre-determined threshold for fracturing the rock formation.
A electromagnetic tool for increasing a permeability of a strata, the electromagnetic tool comprising:
- a electromagnet having a coil;
- a capacitor coupled to the electromagnet;
- and
- a control unit coupled to the electromagnet and the capacitor,
- wherein the electromagnetic tool is configured to generate an electromagnetic field within a coverage area of the electromagnetic tool, wherein the electromagnetic field within the coverage area is above a threshold for fracturing the strata.
A method comprising:
- positioning an electromagnetic tool at a first location of a well bore;
- generating a first time-varying magnetic field using the electromagnetic tool, a strength of the first time-varying magnetic field in a coverage area of the electromagnetic tool being above a pre-determined threshold for fracturing a first rock formation proximate the first location;
- and
- applying a first time-varying magnetic force to the first rock formation using the first time-varying magnetic field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.