Electric and hydraulic powered thermal stimulation and recovery system and method for subterranean wells

A system for thermally stimulating and recovering produced fluid from a subterranean well, comprising:

• a source of pressurized fluid;
• an electric power source for cyclically generating electric energy;
• heater means positioned in the well for thermal stimulation and having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet to the well, and a heating element connected to said electric power source for converting said electric energy into heat energy;
• fluid driven pump means for pumping the produced fluid from the well;
• and means responsive to said electric energy for connecting said fluid inlet to said fluid source when said electric energy is generated and for connecting said pump means to said fluid source when said electric energy is not generated whereby cycles of thermal stimulation by said heater means are alternated with cycles of produced fluid recovery by said pump means.

A method for thermally stimulating and recovering produced fluid from a subterranean well comprising:

• (a) supplying electric energy to the bottom of the well;
• (b) directing a stream of pressurized fluid to said bottom of the well;
• (c) converting said electric energy into heat energy to thermally stimulate the well;
• (d) transferring a portion of said heat energy to said fluid stream and utilizing said fluid stream to thermally stimulate the well;
• and
• (e) utilizing hydraulic energy in said fluid stream to pump the produced fluid from the well.

A method for thermally stimulating and recovering produced fluid from a subterranean well, comprising:

• (a) cyclically supplying electric energy to a bottom of the well;
• (b) directing a stream of pressurized fluid to said bottom of the well;
• (c) converting said electric energy into heat energy in said fluid stream to thermally stimulate the well;
• and
• (d) alternating with said cycles of electric energy, converting hydraulic energy in said pressurized fluid stream into mechanical energy for pumping the produced fluid from the well.