Kai Technologies, Inc.

Raytheon Company

Chevron U.s.a. Inc.

Kasevich Associates, Inc.

Other

Chomerics, Inc.

Ksn Energies, LLC

Turboshale, Inc.

Jr Technologies LLC

Raymond S Kasevich

Jeb Xiaobing Rong

Arthur S Dwyer

Mark Dean Looney

Margaretha Catharina Maria Rijken

Myer Kolker

James F McQueeney

James Preston Koffer

Ronald H Crooker

Stuart M Selkowitz

John F Broderick

Michael T Kocsik

Michael S Heafey

Bart G Guerreri

Raymond E Holmes

Embodiments of generating controlled fractures in geologic formation are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises preconditioning by applying a sufficient amount of energy comprising AC power to the electrodes to induce an electrical field between opposite electrode contact points to generate a least one conductive channel between a pair of electrodes. The generation of the conductive channel is complete when current flow measured by a network analyzer exhibits a measured reduction of channel resistance of 90% ohms or more in 6 hours or less from when preconditioning first began. The method further comprises, subsequent to generating the conductive channel, fracturing by applying electrical impulses to the electrodes. The application of the electrical pulses generates multiple controlled fractures within and about the conductive channel. The energy is applied using a single phase configuration, a multiphase configuration, or any combination thereof.

System and methods for controlled fracturing in formations

An in-situ radar guidance system with a collocated high power electromagnetic heating system or SMART System (Subsurface Multiple Antenna Radiation Technology) creates chemical, physical, and electrical changes as needed to certain organic or inorganic materials for energy efficient recovery of liquids, gases, and solids.

Subsurface multiple antenna radiation technology (SMART)

Controlled fracturing in geologic formations is carried out in a method employing a combination of alternating and impulsive current waveforms, applied in succession to achieve extensive fracturing and disintegration of rock materials for liquid and gas recovery. In a pre-conditioning step, high voltage discharges and optionally with highly ionizable gas injections are applied to a system of borehole electrodes, causing the formation to fracture with disintegration in multiple directions but confined between the locations of electrode pairs of opposite polarity. After pre-conditioning, intense current waveform of pulse energy is then applied to the system of borehole electrodes to create waves of ionization or shock waves with bubbles of heated gas that propagate inside and outside the high conductivity channels, resulting in rock disintegration with attendant large scale multiple fracturing.

Controlled fracturing in geologic formations is carried out by a system for generating fractures. The system comprises: a plurality of electrodes for placing in boreholes in a formation with one electrode per borehole, for the plurality of electrodes to define a fracture pattern for the geologic formation; a first electrical system for delivering a sufficient amount of energy to the electrodes to generate a conductive channel between the pair of electrodes with the conductivity in the channel has a ratio of final to initial channel conductivity of 10:1 to 50,000:1, wherein the sufficient amount of energy is selected from electromagnetic conduction, radiant energy and combinations thereof; and a second electrical system for generating electrical impulses with a voltage output ranging from 100-2000 kV, with the pulses having a rise time ranging from 0.05-500 microseconds and a half-value time of 50-5000 microseconds.

A radiofrequency reactor for use in thermally recovering oil and related materials includes a radiofrequency antenna configured to be positioned within a well, where the well is provided within an area in which crude oil exists in the ground. The radiofrequency antenna includes a cylindrically-shaped radiating element for radiating radiofrequency energy into the area in which crude oil exists. The cylindrically-shaped radiating element is configured to allow passage of fluids there through. The radiofrequency reactor also includes a radiofrequency generator electrically coupled to the radiofrequency antenna. The radiofrequency reactor is operable to control the radiofrequency energy generated.

Method and apparatus for in-situ radiofrequency heating

The present invention relates generally to the use of radiofrequency energy to heat heavy crude oil or both heavy crude oil and subsurface water in situ, thereby enhancing the recovery and handling of such oil. The present invention further relates to methods for applying radiofrequency energy to heavy oils in the reservoir to promote in situ upgrading to facilitate recovery. This invention also relates to systems to apply radiofrequency energy to heavy oils in situ.

Method and apparatus for in-situ radiofrequency assisted gravity drainage of oil (RAGD)

A new application of electromagnetic tomography is described directly related to the efficient recovery of oil and gas as well the removal of unwanted liquids from subsurface formations. The process involves the deployment of both surface and a single borehole magnetic dipole structures used for both transmitting and receiving low frequency electromagnetic energy. The surface antenna consists of circularly concentric arrays of small receiving solenoid antennas and the downhole system consists of one or more solenoid antenna in a single borehole. The concentricity of the surface array is centered about or in proximity to the borehole axis. The electromagnetic field radiated by the downhole antenna is received by each surface antenna. The amplitude and phase of voltages and currents received by each surface antenna is electronically processed based on the theoretical processing principles similar to what has been recently established for electromagnetic impedance tomography (EMIT). Several concentric surface antenna arrays with electronic switching between each circular array and the downhole solenoid will have the ability to image the spread and movement of oil and gas during thermal treatment and provide three dimensional temperature measurement. The oil movement to recovery wells may be provided by radio frequency heating or steam flood as in enhanced oil recovery. This information allows for developing very efficient oil and fluid recovery techniques by actually observing topographic images developed according to this invention.

Subsurface imagery for temperature measurement and fluid flow for oil recovery using electromagnetic impedance tomography (EMIT)

A system for recovering gas trapped within the earth includes a casing () sized and configured to be positioned within a borehole in the earth, the casing () formed of a material that is transmissive to electromagnetic energy and gas within the earth; an antenna () sized and configured to be positioned within the casing (). The antenna () has a distal end and a proximal end and including a radiating element at the distal end of the antenna () which, in operation, transmits electromagnetic energy toward a desired area of the earth, and an interior channel for allowing gas to be conveyed from the distal end to the proximal end of the antenna ().

Electromagnetic coal seam gas recovery system

A system and method for separating oil from an oil tailing having water includes introducing the oil tailing within a chamber, and applying RF energy to the oil tailing at a temperature sufficient to convert the water to steam and to separate the oil from the tailing. The system allows removal of the water from the tailing followed by RF energy absorption by the tailing prior to substantial heat transfer to the surrounding mineral portion of the tailing. Among other advantages, the system produces tailings substantially devoid of oil, thereby allowing the tailing to be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. The system is particularly advantageous for offshore drilling operations where storage and subsequent hauling of the oil tailings ashore for processing and disposal is expensive.

Extracting oil and water from drill cuttings using RF energy

A soil remediation system heats contaminated soil by generating a rotating sub-surface electromagnetic field. The system includes three electrodes disposed 120 degrees apart on a remediation circle. These electrodes are excited by AC voltages with 120 degree phase differences relative to each other. This results in the generation of a sub-surface traveling wave that propagates in a circumferential direction.

Soil heating with a rotating electromagnetic field

A grain containment vessel equipped with one or more antennas and a vapor extraction system is disclosed. An electromagnetic heating pattern is established throughout the grain volume elevating the bulk temperature, while an air flow is applied throughout the grain volume. The electromagnetic energy desorbs the water and increases the vapor pressure and the air flow carries the heat and water from the containment vessel. A controlled amount of electromagnetic energy is introduced into the grain volume to reduce or eliminate fungus infestation and increase insect mortality.

Selective heating of agricultural products

To treat and diagnose tissue, a radiating antenna system is positioned within the tissue to radiate electromagnetic energy into a portion of the tissue desired to be heated, and a plurality of antenna elements are positioned for receiving and/or reflecting the radiated electromagnetic energy from the radiating antenna system. In certain applications, one or more of the antennas has an interior volume for receiving a heat exchange fluid to change the temperature of the tissue proximal to the receiving element.

Microwave devices for medical hyperthermia, thermotherapy and diagnosis

A medical treatment system includes an antenna for radiating energy from a source of electromagnetic energy and including a first radiating element and a second radiating element having a conductor helically wound and coaxially positioned around the first radiating element to receive energy radiated by the first radiating element. The first and second radiating elements are positioned substantially along a longitudinal axis of the antenna with the first radiating element having a proximal end coupled to the source of electromagnetic energy. With this arrangement, energy from the electromagnetic source is efficiently conveyed from the first radiating element and then resonates the coaxially positioned and helically wound second radiating element.

Microwave antennas for medical hyperthermia, thermotherapy and diagnosis

A method and system is provided for autogenic generation of a subterranean fluid flow, such as may be applied, for example, to enhance oil recovery or pollution abatement. In general, the method and system includes placing an electromagnetic apparatus down the borehole of an applicator well, and radiating energy into a permeable formation to achieve displacement flooding effects.

Radio frequency steam flood and gas drive for enhanced subterranean recovery

Medical systems and instruments which utilize microwave energy to provide heat treatment and diagnostic imaging of tissue are provided. One medical treatment system for treating tissue includes an antenna having a radiating element configured to transmit electromagnetic energy toward a desired area of the tissue and having an interior volume for receiving a heat exchange fluid, thereby changing the temperature proximal to the desired area of the tissue.

Growing community of inventors

Weston, MA, United States of America

Raymond S Kasevich