Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Raytheon Company

Texaco Inc.

Brian C Considine

John A Cogliandro

John M Moses

John P Markiewicz

Maureen P Cogliandro

John R Hannon

Donald J Dowling

Kerry D Savage

Vernon L Heeren, Deceased

The extraction of hydrocarbon fuel products such as kerogen oil and gas from a body of fixed fossil fuels such as oil shale is accomplished by applying a combination of electrical energy and critical fluids with reactants and/or catalysts down a borehole to initiate a reaction of reactants in the critical fluids with kerogen in the oil shale thereby raising the temperatures to cause kerogen oil and gas products to be extracted as a vapor, liquid or dissolved in the critical fluids. The hydrocarbon fuel products of kerogen oil or shale oil and hydrocarbon gas are removed to the ground surface by a product return line. An RF generator provides electromagnetic energy, and the critical fluids include a combination of carbon dioxide (CO), with reactants of nitrous oxide (NO) or oxygen (O).

Method for extraction of hydrocarbon fuels or contaminants using electrical energy and critical fluids

Apparatus for extraction of hydrocarbon fuels or contaminants using electrical energy and critical fluids

A method of cleaning an industrial tank using electrical energy and critical fluid comprises the steps of transmitting electrical energy into an industrial tank to a first predetermined temperature, providing a critical fluid with a reactant or catalyst into the tank for diffusion into the contents of the tank at a predetermined pressure, transmitting electrical energy into the tank to heat the contents including the critical fluid to a second predetermined temperature to initiate reaction of a reactant in the critical fluid with a portion of the contents of the tank causing hydrocarbons and contaminants to be released for extraction as a vapor, liquid or dissolved in the critical fluid. A step of pressure cycling may be performed prior to a step of removing the contents of the tank including the hydrocarbons and contaminants. A further step includes separating the hydrocarbons, critical fluid, gases, and contaminants removed from the tank.

Method of cleaning an industrial tank using electrical energy and critical fluid

A method for measuring temperatures of a hydrocarbon stratum subjected to RF electromagnetic energy includes in one embodiment sensing the temperature at different positions within an inner conductor of an applicator used to radiate the RF electromagnetic energy into the hydrocarbon stratum. In another embodiment, the temperature measurements are made from a borehole which is utilized to obtain hydrocarbon fluids resulting from the retorting of the hydrocarbon stratum in which the sensing is done in different positions within the producing borehole and in the vicinity of the hydrocarbon stratum. Electrical signals representative of the sensed temperatures are provided. The electrical signals are conducted from the sensing positions to the surface of the earth. An RF voltage which combines with the electrical signals is decoupled from the electrical signals. An indication of the temperatures is provided in accordance with the decoupled electrical signals.

Method for measuring temperature of a hydrocarbon stratum subjected to

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Chelmsford, MA, United States of America

Brian C Considine