US 5,082,054 A · In-situ tuned microwave oil extraction process

Abstract

A method of creating a protocol for oil extraction or for enhancing oil extraction from oil reservoirs. A process of devising and applying a customized electromagnetic irradiation protocol to individual reservoirs. Reservoir samples are tested to determine their content, molecular resonance frequencies and the effects of electromagnetic field on their compounds. Electromagnetic field frequencies, intensities, wave forms and durations necessary to heat and/or crack individual molecules and produce plasma torches is determined. Equipment are selected and installed according to the results of the laboratory tests and the geophysics of the mine. Dielectric constant of the formation is reduced by draining the water and drying it with electromagnetic energy. A combination of the effects of microwave flooding, plasma torch activation, molecular cracking and selective heating are used to heat the oil within the reservoir, by controlling frequency, intensity, duration, direction and wave form of the electromagnetic field. Conditions of there servoir are continuously monitored during production to act as feedback for modification of the irradiation protocol.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An in-situ method for partially refining and extracting petroleum from a petroleum bearing reservoir by irradiation of the reservoir with electromagnetic energy of high frequency of mainly microwave region, comprising:

(a) ascertaining geophysical data and water content of the petroleum bearing reservoir;
(b) taking at least one core sample of the reservoir;
(c) testing the core sample to determine the respective amounts of constituent hydrocarbons in the petroleum, the molecular resonance frequencies of the respective constituent hydrocarbons, and the change in properties and responses of the respective constituent hydrocarbons to various frequencies, intensities, durations and wave forms of electromagnetic field energy applied to the hydrocarbons;
(d) developing a strategy for the application of electromagnetic energy to a selected constituent hydrocarbon or group of constituent hydrocarbons in the reservoir based on the results of the core sample tests and the geophysical data and water content of the reservoir;
(e) excavating at least one canal or well in the reservoir for draining water from the reservoir and collecting hydrocarbons from the reservoir;
(f) generating electromagnetic waves of mainly microwave frequency range and deploying the electromagnetic waves to the reservoir to irradiate a selected constituent hydrocarbon or a group of constituent hydrocarbons within the reservoir and thereby produce one or more of microwave flooding, plasma torch, molecular cracking and selective heating of the pre-determined hydrocarbon or group of constituent hydrocarbons in the reservoir, to increase temperature and reduce viscosity of the selected constituent hydrocarbon or groups of constituent hydrocarbons in the reservoir so that they flow into the underground canal or well;
and
(g) removing the treated selected constituent hydrocarbon or group of constituent hydrocarbons from the canal or well.

5 more elements

(a) ascertaining geophysical data and water content of the petroleum bearing reservoir;
(b) taking at least one core sample of the reservoir;
(c) testing the core sample to determine the respective amounts of constituent hydrocarbons in the petroleum, the molecular resonance frequencies of the respective constituent hydrocarbons, and the change in properties and responses of the respective constituent hydrocarbons to various frequencies, intensities, durations and wave forms of electromagnetic field energy applied to the hydrocarbons;
(d) developing a strategy for the application of electromagnetic energy to a selected constituent hydrocarbon or group of constituent hydrocarbons in the reservoir based on the results of the core sample tests and the geophysical data and water content of the reservoir;
(e) excavating at least one canal or well in the reservoir;
(f) draining water from the reservoir to reduce the dielectric constant of the hydrocarbon in the reservoir thereby increasing the depth of penetration of microwaves which are subsequently directed to the reservoir;
(g) generating electromagnetic waves of mainly microwave frequency range and deploying the electromagnetic waves to he reservoir to irradiate a selected constituent hydrocarbon or a group of constituent hydrocarbons within the reservoir and thereby produce one or more of microwave flooding, plasma torch, molecular cracking and selective heating of the pre-determined hydrocarbon or group of constituent in the reservoir, to increase temperature and reduce viscosity of the selected constituent hydrocarbon or group of constituent hydrocarbons in the reservoir so that they flow into the underground canal or well;
and
(h) removing the treated selected constituent hydrocarbon or group of constituent hydrocarbons from the canal or well.

6 more elements

(a) ascertaining geophysical data and water content of the petroleum bearing reservoir;
(b) taking at least one core sample of the reservoir;
(c) testing the core sample to determine the respective amounts of constituent hydrocarbons in the petroleum, the molecular resonance frequencies of the respective constituent hydrocarbons, and the change in properties and response of the respective constituent hydrocarbons to various frequencies, intensities, durations and wave forms of electromagnetic field energy applied to the hydrocarbons;
(d) developing a strategy for the application of electromagnetic energy to a selected constituent hydrocarbon or group of constituent hydrocarbons in the reservoir based on the results of the core sample tests and the geophysical data and water content of the reservoir;
(e) excavating at least one canal or well in the reservoir for draining water from the reservoir and collecting hydrocarbons from the reservoir
(f) covering an area above the reservoir with microwave reflective foil to reflect electromagnetic radiation to the reservoir;
(g) generating electromagnetic waves of mainly microwave frequency range and deploying the electromagnetic waves to the reservoir to irradiate a selected constituent hydrocarbon or a group of constituent hydrocarbons within the reservoir and thereby produce one or more of microwave flooding, plasma torch, molecular cracking and selective heating of the selected constituent hydrocarbon or group of constituent hydrocarbons in the reservoir, to increase temperature and reduce viscosity of the selected constituent hydrocarbon or group of constituent hydrocarbons in the reservoir so that they flow into the underground canal or well;
and
(h) removing the treated selected constituent hydrocarbon or group of constituent hydrocarbons from the canal or well.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

In-situ tuned microwave oil extraction process

Life of this patent

In-situ tuned microwave oil extraction process

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25