The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 04, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 20, 1998
Applicant:
Inventors:
Daniel J Eck, Anchorage, AK (US);
John C Patterson, Garland, TX (US);
Assignee:
Atlantic Richfield Company, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
166 60 ; 166302 ; 166901 ; 392305 ;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for producing (e.g. heavy oil) through a wellbore which passes through a permafrost layer. To maintain an acceptable flow temperature inside the production tubing, a heating element (e.g. electrical power cable having its leads short-circuited) is lowered down the production tubing to generate heat inside the tubing when electricity is supplied thereto. A sensor is provided to sense the temperature inside the tubing and activate a source to supply electricity to the cable whenever the temperature inside the production tubing drops below the desired temperature.