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:
Aug. 04, 2015
Filed:
Oct. 13, 2011
Robert D. Kaminsky, Houston, TX (US);
Robert Chick Wattenbarger, Houston, TX (US);
Robert D. Kaminsky, Houston, TX (US);
Robert Chick Wattenbarger, Houston, TX (US);
ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
Methods for recovering viscous oil include receiving electrical power from an electrical grid fed by at least one fluctuating electricity supply. The methods also include using at least a portion of the received electrical power to heat a first fluid stream using an electrical heater. The methods also include heating a second fluid stream with a fired-heater using a combustible fuel. The methods further include using both the first and second heated fluid streams to aid oil recovery. In accordance with these methods, the heat output of the electrical heater is adjusted during production operations to at least partially match an estimated mismatch between electrical power supply from and demand on the grid. At the same time, the heat output of the fired-heater is adjusted to at least partially compensate for fluctuations in the electrical heater heat output.