Lockheed Martin Corporation

Michael Currie

Vincent P Benischek

Rajneeta Basantkumar

Gennady Lyasko

Systems and methods of enhancing crude oil flow radiate electromagnetic energy in the form of focused far field electromagnetic energy into a permeable formation containing the crude oil so as to cause the oil to decrease in viscosity without a substantial change in temperature of the crude oil, increasing the ability of the oil to flow within the formation toward the well and enabling recovery from the reservoir.

Electromagnetic based system and method for enhancing subsurface recovery of fluid within a permeable formation

The invention provides for electromagnetic transmission and reception used in detecting relative changes associated with nano devices existing within an oil reservoir. The system enables monitoring of the relative movement of the nano devices in the oil and/or water over a given area based on the incremental or relative changes of the intensity of the reflections over time. In one embodiment, a source of electromagnetic energy from an array of antennae transmitting immediately in the far field recharges a power source embedded in the nano devices. In another embodiment, the return signals from the nano devices maps the morphology of ensembles of nano devices. In yet another embodiment the transmission controls the movement of the nano devices and controls the function preformed by the nano devices relative to effecting changes in the well to improve production of oil.

System and method to remotely interact with nano devices in an oil well and/or water reservoir using electromagnetic transmission

An array of electromagnetic receiver antennae is arranged and operated in conjunction with the operation of an array of far field electromagnetic transmitter antennae for mapping subsurface features of an existing well site reservoir. Mapping is performed according to the relative intensities, frequencies, phase shifts, and/or other reflected signal parameters of the reflections received by the receiver antennae (relative to the transmit signals) associated with a given location or target area within a reservoir so as to aid in determining the geological features about an oil deposit for an existing oil well.

System and method for determining sub surface geological features at an existing oil well site

Systems and methods of enhancing crude oil recovery include radiating electromagnetic energy in the form of focused electromagnetic pulses into a permeable formation containing the crude oil and/or fluid via an array of antennae transmitting immediately in the far field. The electromagnetic pulses are focused at the depth of the fluid reservoir. Pulses will be reflected by the fluid according to the fluid material (e.g. oil vs. water) and/or the strata (e.g. rock, sand, etc.). An array of receiver antennae may be used to initially establish a reference of the reflected electromagnetic pattern, and then operated in conjunction with the transmit array to monitor the relative horizontal movement of oil and/or water within the subterranean reservoir.

System and method to measure and track fluid movement in a reservoir using electromagnetic transmission

The invention provides for systems and methods of enhancing crude oil recovery providing an array of electromagnetic receiver antennae arranged and operated in conjunction with an array of far field electromagnetic transmitter antennae for mapping subsurface features of a reservoir. Mapping is performed according to the relative intensities, frequencies, phase shifts, and/or other reflected signal parameters of the reflections received by the receiver antennae (relative to the transmit signals) associated with a given location or target area within a reservoir. Such mapping aids in determining an optimal location of a production well or the location of an auxiliary well relative to the production well.

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New Hyde Park, NY, United States of America

Michael Currie