Gas Research Institute

Uentech Corporation

Kenneth E Hofer

Jack E Bridges

Homer L Spencer

Thomas J Bajzek

Vincent R Young

Robert J Sutkowski

Larry G Smith

Electrical heating system for mineral wells, particularly oil wells, in which the reservoir or 'pay zone' is heat stimulated or some well components (e.g., the tubing) are heated, or both, by electrical power supplied to a multi-perforate electrode have the operating efficiency enhanced by effectively terminating the heating electrode, at both its top and bottom, at a distance inwardly of the pay zone equal to at least three times the diameter of the well casing. In some systems the electrical power connection to the main heating electrode is made through a section of the production tubing of the well, with an electrical contactor interconnecting the tubing and the electrode in the level of the pay zone; these systems also provide electrical isolation, within critical height limits, for the production tubing and the pump rod. Delivery of electrical power downhole of the well may be accomplished through an electrical cable, which may or may not be appropriately armored. Specific electrode construction combine conductive and insulating materials to counteract galvanic corrosion while maintaining mechanical strength.

Robust electrical heating systems for mineral wells

An apparatus and process combining an excavation apparatus with a fully contained underground elongated conductive object detector capable of selectively detecting underground objects such as water pipes and electrical cables. The combination of this invention may be advantageously used in trenching to prevent damage to underground water pipes and electrical cables by detecting their presence before the digging implement damages them. An audible or visual signal may be activated and/or the excavation apparatus may be automatically shut down upon detection of an underground pipe or cable a few feet below the excavation. The detector may be incorporated in the digging shovel of a backhoe or maintained in position adjacent the digging implement by a boom extending from the excavation apparatus. Simple and sturdy time gated electronics is advantageously used to differentiate underground pipes and cables from other underground metal debris and to provide range and direction information.

Underground pipeline and cable detector and process

Growing community of inventors

Chicago Ridge, IL, United States of America

Kenneth E Hofer