In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation using conductor-in-conduit heat sources with an electrically conductive material in the overburden

A system configured to heat at least a part of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:

• a conductor placed in an opening in the formation, wherein the conductor is configurable to provide heat to at least a part of the formation during use;
• a first cladding section coupled to at least a portion of the conductor, wherein the first cladding section is positioned in an overburden of the formation to lower an electrical resistance of at least part of the conductor when such conductor is in the overburden during use;
• and
• wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the conductor to at least the part of the formation during use.

A system for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:

• a conduit placed in an opening in the formation;
• a conductor placed in the conduit, wherein the conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
• a cladding section electrically coupled to the conductor such that a majority of the electrical current provided to the conductor during use flows through the cladding section in the overburden;
• and
• wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the conductor to a section of the formation during use.