Apparatus and method for in situ heat processing of hydrocarbonaceous formations

A method for in situ heating of hydrocarbonaceous earth formations, comprising the steps of:

• forming a plurality of boreholes which bound a particular volume of said formations;
• inserting elongated electrical conductors in said boreholes;
• and
• introducing electrical excitation to said formations to establish alternating electric fields in said volume;
• the frequency of said excitation being selected as a function of the volume dimensions so as to establish substantially non-radiating electric fields which are substantially confined in said volume;
• whereby volumetric dielectric heating of the formations will occur to effect approximately uniform heating of said volume.

A system for in situ heat processing of an oil shale bed, comprising:

• a plurality of conductive means bounding a particular volume of said bed;
• electrical excitation means for establishing alternating electric fields in said volume;
• the frequency of said excitation means being selected as a function of the volume dimensions so as to establish substantially non-radiating electric fields which are substantially confined in said volume;
• whereby volumetric dielectric heating of the bed will occur to effect approximately uniform heating of said volume.

A system for in situ heat processing of a tar sand deposit, comprising:

• a plurality of conductive means inserted in said deposit and bounding a particular volume of said deposit;
• electrical excitation means for establishing alternating electric fields in said volume;
• the frequency of said excitation means being selected as a function of the volume dimensions so as to establish substantially non-radiating electric fields which are substantially confined in said volume;
• whereby volumetric dielectric heating of the deposit will occur to effect approximately uniform heating of said volume.