CA2059769A1 - In-situ tuned microwave oil extraction process - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A method of creating a protocol for oil extraction or for enhancing oil extraction from oil reservoirs. A
process of devising and applying a customized electromag-netic irradiation protocol to individual reservoirs.
Reservoir samples are tested to datermine their content, molecular resonance frequencies and the effects of electro-magnetic field on their compounds. Electromagnetic field frequencies, intensities, wave forms and durations necess-ary to heat and/or crack individual molecules and produce plasma torches is determined. Equipment are selected and installed according to the results of the laboratory tests and the geophysics of the mine. Dielectric constant of the formation is reduced by draining the water and drying it with electromagnetic energy. A combination of the effects of microwave flooding, plasma torch activation, molecular cracking and selective heating are used to heat the oil within the reservoir, by controlling frequency, intensity, duration, direction and wave form of the electromagnetic field. Conditions of the reservoir are continuously monitored during production to act as feedback for modifi-cation of the irradiation protocol.

Description

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IN-SITU l'UNED NI~ROWAVE OIL EXTRACTION PROCESS

FIELD O~ THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method of oil extrac-tion or enhancing oil extraction from oil reservoirs with particular application for extraction from tar sands and - oil shale reservoirs.
,~, `~ 10 BACKGROUND OF THE II\~VENTION

In the prior art, various aspects of application of electromagnetic energy to oil extraction have been explored. United States Patents Nos. 2,757,7~3; 3,133,592;
4,140,180; 4,193,448; 4,620,593; 4,638,863; 4,678,~34; and 4,743,7~5 have mainly dealt with development of specific apparatus for reducing viscosity by using standard micro-wave generators.
., United States Patents Nos. 4,067,390~ 85,868;
4,485,869; 4,638,863; and 4,~17,711 propose methods of applying microwaves to heat the reservoir and extract oil.
All of these methods are concerned with fixed frequencies ; and one specific technique of extraction.

In order to provide an industrially acceptable !~ solution, there is still a need for approaching this -~ problem with a global outlook. Since each reservoir has its own specific and individual characteristics, it re-quires a unique and customized protocol for oil extraction.

Use of microwave irradiation technology in oil reservoir extraction had limitations such as depth of penetration and efficiency. It had been believed that because of the high frequencies of microwaves and the high dielectric constant of the reservoirs, much of the micro-wave energy is absorbed within a short distance. Thus microwaves had been considered to offer limited solution for these purposes.

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An important area that all previous approaches have failed to recognize is the consequences of manipula-tion of electromagnetic field frequency at a molecular level.

Current techniques have not properly addressed the efficiency and consequently the economic feasibility of a microwave process for a specific oil reservoir.

SUMM~RY O~ THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a process of developing and applying unique irradiation protocols specific and customized to the requirements of inclividual reservoirs.

Briefly the invention is a process of devising and applying an electromagnetic irradiation protocol customized to each reservoir. This protocol controls frequency, intensity, wave form, durakion and direction of irradiation of electromagnetic energy in such a way that it generates and utilizes the desired combination of effects defined as microwave flooding, selective heating, molecular cracking and plasma torch activation, under controlled conditions in time and space within the reservoir. Utiliz-ing these effects makes this process the first economically feasible application of electromagnetic energy to extract oil from reservoirs.
The invention is directed to an in-situ method for partially refining and extracting petroleum from a ; petroleum bearing reservoir by irradiation of the reservoir with electromagnetic energy of high frequency of mainly microwave region, comprisiny: (a) taking at least one core .` sample of the reservoir; (b) testing the core sample to ~ determine the respective amounts of constituent hydro-. .
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carbons in the petroleum, the molecular resonance fre-quencies of the hydrocarbons, the change in properties and responses to various frequencies, intensities, durations, and wave forms of electromagnetic field energy applied to the hydrocarbons; (c) developing a strategy for the appli-cation of electromagnetic energy to the reservoir based on the results of core sample tests and geophysical data and water content of the reservoir; (d~ excavating at least one canal or well in the reservoir for draining water from the reservoir and collecting hydrocarbons from the reservoir;
(e) generating electromagnetic waves of mainly microwave frequency range and deploying the electrGmagnetic waves to the reservoir to irradiate the hydrocarbons within the - reservoir and thereby produce one or more of microwave flooding, plasma torch, molecular cracking and selective heating of pre-determined hydrocarbons in the reservoir, to increase temperature and reduce viscosity of the hydrocar-bons in the reservoir; and (~) removing the treated hydro-carbons from the underground canal or well.
BRIEE D~ESCRI TION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention, but which should not be construed as restricting or limiting the scope of the invention in any way:

Figure 1 is a schematic flow chart diagxam outlininy the major steps of the process of the invention in devising and applying an irradiation protocol to the reservoir.

Figure 2 is a representation of a drainage network with vertical wells in a petroleum reservoir.

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Figure 3 is a representat.ion of a drainage network with near horizontal underground canals in a petroleum reservoir.

Figure 4 is a representation of a drainage network with directionally controlled drilled wells and canals in a petroleum reservoir.

Figure 5 is a representation of microwave irradi-ation of a reservoir by using a surface generator with wave guides and reflectors.

Figure 6 is a representation of direct microwave irradiation o~ a reservoir by using a down hole generator.
Figure 7 is a represen~ation of direct microwave irradiation of a reservoir by using distributed underground sources.

~; 20 Figure 8 is a schematic representat:ion of the test and feedback data being transformed to control parame-ters which themselves produce heating and partial refining effects.
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Figura 9 is a representation of the nature of microwave flooding underground in a petroleum reservoir.

Figure 10 is a graph of relative dielectric constant Vs. water content of a petroleum reservoir.
Figure 11 is a representation of an efficient layout of adjacent underground canal networks to contribute to each other's effect.

; 35 Figure 12 is a graph of intensity vs. frequency wave length for four different hydrocarbons showing the molecular resonance frequencies as peaks.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The subject invention involves a process of oil extraction using electromagnetic energy which exploits the effects of variation of field intensity frequency corre-sponding to the natural ~requency of the constituent hydrocarbons within the reservoir in :increasing efficiency of the process.

The protocol development involves study of the -reservoir through core samples as well as topographic and geophysical data. The core samples are tested to determine their content, as well as their molecular natural fre-quencies and effects of E.M. waves on them with respect to physical and chemical changes that can be manipulated~

Based on the results of these studies, an exten-sive network of wells and canals are developed to be us~d for water drainager housing of equipment, and collection of heated oil.

The dielectric constant of the reservoir is reduced by initially draining the water, and eventually evaporating the remaining moisture by using microwaves.

A customized irradiation protocol is developed which requires independent control of frequency, intensity, wave form, duration and direction of electromagnetic irradiation. Throughout the irradiation phase, temperature distribution, pressure gradients and dielectric constant of : the reservoir are monitored to act as feedback for modifi-cation of the protocol. Through this control a combination of microwave flooding, molecular cracking, plasma torch ;35 initiation, and partial liquefaction through selective heating is obtained which can efficiently heat the reser-voir to extract oil.

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Theoretically, the application of high frequency electromagnetic energy affects a petroleum bearing reser-voir in the following manner. Through the rapidly fluctu-ating electromagnetic field, polar molecules are rotated by the external torque on their dipole moment. Molecules with their molecular resonance frequencies closer to a harmonic of that of the field energy, absorb more energy. This provides a means of manipulating the reservoir by exciting different molecules at different frequencies, to achieve more efficient extraction.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a flow chart of a process of devising and applying an irradiation protocol that outlines as an example the major steps required in customizing and applying the method of the invention to oil (petroleum) reservoirs. As shown in Figure l, initially reservoir samples are taken and tested.
Simultaneously, the geophysical nature of the reservoir as ; 20 well as its water content are determined through field tests and surveys. Based on the results of these tests, an application strategy is designed. This application strat-egy includes site design consisting of access road, instal-lations, water drainage and oil extraction network, as well as an irradiation protocol. The type of drainage network and irradiation protocol selected determine the type and : quantity of equipment to be assembled. Then equipment is installed and irradiation operation and extraction begins.
Throughout the operation, attention is given to the feed-back from the reservoir and the extracted material. Based on the feedback, both irradiation protocol and the equip-ment are constantly modified.
:' The ~ollowing describes the steps of Figure 1 in ;35 greater detail.
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The first step in devising the customized irradi-ation protocol is to perform a number of tests on the reservoir samples. These tests include experiments to determine the effects of various frequencies, intensities, . 5 wave forms and durations of application of electromagnetic field on reservoir samples. Attention is given to the resultant physical and chemical reactions, includiny the onset of cracking of larger molecule hydrocarbon chains into smaller ones. Furthermore, tests are done to deter-mine the molecular resonance frequencies of constituent hydrocarbons of the reservoir samples. One such relevant test is microwave spectroscopy.

Field tests include determination of the geo-physical nature of the mine, as well as the water contentof the reservoir~

Based on these results, an application strategy is designed. The first part of this strategy involves selection of equipment and design of underground canals and wells in the reservoir. The underground canals and wells form an extensive network which is used for three purposes.
Firstly, to act as a drainage system for much of the water content of the reservoir. Secondly, during production stages, the network acts as housing for equipment such as ;` microwave generators, wave guides, reflectors, data collec-~ tion and feedback transducers and instruments. Thirdly, ; the network acts as a collection system for extraction of oil from the reservoir.
~i Some typical reservoir networks are shown in Figures 2, 3, 4. These figures show some of the options available in developing such a network. Different reser-voirs with different depths and geology require different approaches to such development. Figure 2 shows a series of ~ vertical wells 21. Figure 3 shows a central well 22 with ; an underground gallery 23 from which a series of near . .

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horizontal canals 24 emerge. These canals 24 span the cross sectional area of a part of the reservoir and act as bo-th drainage canals and as collection canals. Figure 4 represents an inverted umbrella or mushroom network which is useful for locations where underground galleries are too costly or impractical to build. These canals 25 converge to a central vertical collection well 22 extending to the surface. The design of the network clepends on both topo-graphical and geophysical data as well as the type o~
equipment to be installed.

The second part of the application strategy is to devise a customized irradiation protocol based on the results of the laboratory tests, and geophysical data and the water content of the reservoir. This protocol outlines a set of guidelines about choosing appropriate ~requencies ; of electromagnetic field to be applied, controlling the time and duration of their application, field intensities, wave forms and direction of irradiation. In this way, this invention enables control of the heating process with respect to time, in appropriate and predetermined locations within the reservoir. At the same time, control over frequencies and intensities determines the compounds within the reservoir that absorb most of the irradiated energy at that time.

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The design of the irradiation protocol also includes selecting and assembling appropriate equipment.
As shown in Figure 5, the microwave generators 27 may be required to remain above ground, and through the use of '! wave guides 26 and reflectors 28 transmit microwave energy down the well 22, to irradiate the reservoir 30. Alterna-tively as in Figure 6, there may be down-hole generators 31. A further alternative is a series of lower power microwave generators 35 which act as a n-umber of distrib-uted sources as shown in Figure 7. In this case, the underground canals may be of two groups. One for drainage :;
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purposes 24, and the other for equipment housing 34. In the latter two cases, illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, low frequency electrical energy is transferred from an electri-cal source 33 to the underground generators 31, 35 through the use of electrical cables 32. It is there that the electrical energy is converted to high frequencv electro--magnetic waves. In all cases the well 22 is lined with a microwave transparen-t casing 29.

The next stage is to install the equipment on surface and within the underground network of canals and wells. Furthermore, there may be a need to use reflectors or diffusers. The nature of required irradiation deter-mines the types of reflectors or diffusers that should be used. For example, if small area irradiation is required, parabolic reflectors are used, whereas if large volume irradiation is required, diffusers and dispersing reflec-tors are used. Furthermore, by means of reflectors, direction of irradiation can be controlled, thus adding targeting abilities to the process.

In the case of distributed source, since numerous generators of identical specifications are manufactured, each generator will cost much less. In addition, the whole system becomes more reliable since failure of one generator eliminates only a small part of the generating power at that frequency, whereas with the higher power generators, ;~ one failure eliminates one frequency.
~, After a stage of substantial water drainage is conducted, production begins. Microwave irradiation proceeds according to the devised protocol. Generally, as shown in Figure 8, the five parameters of frequency, intensity, wave form, duration and direction of irradiation are controlled in such a manner that within various prede-termined parts of the reservoir, desired physical and chemical reactions take place.
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The application phase of the irradiation protocol includes the following:

- Lowering the dielectric constant of the reservoir by draining the water through the network as a pre-production step;

- Drying the formation by microwave flooding;
,: 10 - - Activating plasma torches in various parts of the reservoir to generate heat;

- Exposing some heavier hydrocarbons to specific frequencies which cause them to undergo molecular cracking into lighter hydrocarbons; and ~ ~ Manipulating parts of the reservoir with various ! frequencies of elactromagnetic field at predeter-mined intensities to produce the desired selec-tive heatin~ effect.

Meanwhile, through the use of transducers within ~the reservoir, and by testing the extracted material, a ;~ 25 feedback loop is completed. Data such as temperature distribution, pressure gradients and dielectric constant of the reservoir are monitored in order to modify and update the irradiation protocol, and to modify or include any necessary equipment.
The electromagnetic wave generators used in the invention are of two types. Initially Klystrons which can be tuned to the frequencies near or equal to that of the ; molecular resonance frequencies of the hydrocarbon fluids are used. These Klystrons operate until they are fine tuned to more exact operational frequencies. After the fine tuning is completed, Magnetrons that produce those ;

`` 2~7~9 fine tuned frequencies are produced and replace the Klystrons. Magnetrons are more ef~icient and economical but do not give the variable frequency range that is produced by Klystrons. It must be noted that in particular cases, it may be more economical and convenient to use Klystrons for all parts of the operation. This is particu-larly the case if the molecular resonance frequencies of a number of hydrocarbons present in that reservoir falls within a small frequency band.
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Each major step of the production phase is described below in more detail.

A high dielectric constant of the reservoir was a major cause of short depth of penetration. In this invention, by draining much of the free water wit;hin the reservoir through the drainage networ~ of canals and wells, and e.vaporating the remaining moisture by microwave flood-ing, the dielectric constant is lowered and depth of penetration increased.
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Microwave flooding is commenced by activating electromagnetic waves corresponding to the molecular ; resonance frequency of water with 2.45 GHz or 8915 mHz magnetrons. As a result of heating by this process, the water layer nearest the source of irradiation is evapor-ated. After this stage, microwave flooding corresponding to the natural frequencies of major hydrocarbons begins.
This process heats the oil nearest the source within the formation. The heating process reduces the viscosity of the oil. In certain cases, gases and lighter hydrocarbons may be heated further to generate a positive vapour pres-sure gradient that pushes the liquefied oil from the reservoir into the network.
After drainage of this fluid, the zone which was drained remains permeable and transparent to microwaves.

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~ 12 -The microwaves then start acting on the adjacent region 37 of the reservoir, as shown in Figure 9. This figure shows the depleted zone 36 nearest the microwave source 31, and adjacent the active region 37 where the formation undergoes heating, and ~urther unaffected zones which have to wait until the microwave flooding reaches them.

In reality, as water evaporates, the dielectric constant of the reservoir is greatly reduced. This reduc-; lo tion as can be seen from the graph in Figure 10, increases ;~the depth of microwave penetration, thus enabling the 2.45 GHz microwaves to gradually reach the regions further from "the source. In this way, there is always some water vapour pressure generated behind the region in which petroleum is b~ing heated. Thus, there is constantly a positive pressuregradient to push the heated oil towards the collection `network of canals and wells. A progressive drainage of the reservoir takes place.
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~0Under certain conditions, when the hydrocarbons within the formation are exposed to high intensity micro-waves, they enter an exothermic plasma phase. This well-known phenomenon is referred to as plasma torch activa-tion. During this phase, molecules undergo exothermic chemical gaseous decomposition which creates a source of ~- heat from within the reservoir. The parameters of fre-quency and field intensity required to trigger plasma torch in any particular reservoir are determined from laboratory tests. Therefore, in the irradiation protocol, strategic locations are determined for the activation of plasma torches to aid in heating the formation. This is generally done by using one high intensity microwave source which uses reflectors for focusing the radiation into a high energy controlled volume. Alternatively, this is achieved by using a number of high intensity microwave sources that irradiate predetermined locations from different direc-tions. The cross section of their irradiation paths 2 ~

exposes the formation to the required energy level, which activates plasma torches.

~ hen heavier molecule hydrocarbon chains are exposed to certain harmonics of their natural frequency, they become so agitated that the molecular chain breaks into smaller chains. This chemical decomposition is referred to as molecular cracking. During the operation, at predetermined times, the heavier molecules within the lo reservoir may be exposed to such frequencies of electromag-~-; netic field energy at intensities that cause them to undergo molecular cracking. In this way, more viscous, heavier hydrocarbon molecules are broken into lighter, more fluid hydrocarbons. Thus the quality of the extracted oil becomes lighter. This process is particularly useful for tar sand and oil shale deposits where the petroleum is of a heavy grade.
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While the depth of penetration is increased, electromagnetic wave sources of various frequencies are activated according to the results of the laboratory tests and the irradiation protocol. Each ~requency corresponds to the natural frequency of the molecules of one hydrocar-bon. Thus irradiation of the reservoir at that frequency causes the hydrocarbon molecules with that particular :~ natural frequency to resonate. In this way, desireable hydrocarbons are exposed to and thus absorb more energy.
Therefore, partial liquefaction and thus partial in-situ refining is achieved before the oil leaves the reservoir.
Also, when necessary, the same technique can be used to evaporate lighter oils or agitate gases to generate a larger positive pressure gradient in order to facilitate the flow of liquefied hydrocarbons into the collection network.
For example, microwave frequencies that excite heavier hydrocarbons may be used for a long duration ~ 1~

initially. When their viscosity is lowered sufficiently, a short duration of another microwave frequency that excites gaseous compounds is used at high intensities to create a pressure gradient which forces the heavier hydro-carbons into the collection wells.

Furthermore, water, which acts as a hindrance and a problem in other techniques, can be used to advantage in this case. If a little moisture is still present in the reservoir, during the pressure building phase of the protocol, water molecules may be excited to such an extent that they produce vapour (steam) which adds to the desired pressure gradient.

A microwave reflective foil 39 as shown in Figure 9, may be used to cover the surface of some reservoirs.
This foil 39 has two major benefits: It prevents addition of precipitated water to the reservoir and thereby reduces the energy needed to dry the newly precipitated water. It also reflects the microwaves that reach the surface back down to the reservoir. This action increases efficlency as well as prevents possible environmental hazards.

As shown in Figure 11, within a reservoir, a complex interconnecting set of underground canal and well networks may be designed. These networks are designed in such a way that the radiation from one area 38 may pen-etrate the region covered by another and vice versa. In this way, the energy that would otherwise have been wasted by heating the formation outside the collection zone, falls within the collection zone of an adjacent network 38, thus increasing the efficiency.

Finally, Figure 12 shows the spectrometry results of four specific hydrocarbons. This spectroscopy pinpoints the molecular resonance frequencies of these four hydrocar-bons. Most of the time, by knowing the compounds present, 2 ~
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these frequencies can be determined by looking up tables of resultsO However, in some cases it may be required to perform spectrographic tests on core samples of the reser-voir or particular compounds of the core samples in order to have results.

Example In an experiment performed in Middleborough, lo Massachusetts, in November, 1988, 2.2 lb. samples of oil shale were irradiated by using a 1500 W magnetron, and the following facts were observed.

Initially, the water in the shale absorbed heat, caused expansion, and caused cracking of the shale struc-ture, until the water was evaporated. In a next phase, sulphurous gases were emitted, followed by the emission of petroleum gases, which were larger in volume than the petroleum evaporation due to thermal heating of the same volume in a contxol sample. The colour of the shale changed from a light grey to a shiny tar black, as the oi].
was exuded from the shale.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.

Claims (22)

1. An in-situ method for partially refining and extracting petroleum from a petroleum bearing reservoir by irradiation of the reservoir with electromagnetic energy of high frequency of mainly microwave region, comprising:
(a) taking at least one core sample of -the reservoir;
(b) testing the core sample to determine the respective amounts of constituent hydrocarbons in the petroleum, the molecular resonance frequencies of the hydrocarbons, the change in properties and responses to various frequencies, intensities, durations, and wave forms of electromagnetic field energy applied to the hydrocarbons;
(c) developing a strategy for the application of electromagnetic energy to the reservoir based on the results of core sample tests and geophysical data and water content of the reservoir;
(d) excavating at least one canal or well in the reservoir for draining water from the reservoir and col-lecting hydrocarbons from the reservoir;
(e) generating electromagnetic waves of mainly microwave frequency range and deploying the electromag-netic waves to the reservoir to irradiate the hydrocarbons within the reservoir and thereby produce one or more of microwave flooding, plasma torch, molecular cracking and selective heating of pre-determined hydrocarbons in the reservoir, to increase temperature and reduce viscosity of the hydrocarbons in the reservoir; and (f) removing the treated hydrocarbons from the underground canal or well.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the developed strategy includes reducing the dielectric constant of the hydrocarbon in the reservoir to increase the depth of penetration of microwaves by draining water and by irradi-ating the reservoir with microwaves from a microwave source to dry water nearest the microwave source, and sequentially continue this method to the next closest region to the microwave source, until such time that as the dielectric constant of a significant portion of the reservoir is reduced and greater depth of penetration of microwaves in the reservoir is achieved.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the developed strategy includes controlling the intensity, direction and duration of the generated electromagnetic wave irradiation with frequencies corresponding to the molecular resonance frequencies of selected constituent hydrocarbons in the reservoir, to thereby heat the hydrocarbons within the reservoir so that the hydrocarbons nearest the source of irradiation are heated and are evaporated or experience reduced viscosity so that the hydrocarbons flow into the collection canal or well under vapour pressure or gravity.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein electromagnetic waves of a predetermined substantially pure frequency corresponding to the molecular resonance frequency of a constituent hydrocarbon within the reservoir as determined by the core testing, are generated, and with separately controlled intensity corresponding to each frequency.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the predetermined substantially pure frequency and intensity correspond to the molecular resonance frequency and intensity at which the hydrocarbon undergoes molecular cracking.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the predetermined substantially pure frequency and intensity correspond to the molecular resonance frequency and intensity at which the hydrocarbon within the reservoir enters an exothermic plasma phase.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein microwaves of at least one pre-determined frequency are generated to heat a selected hydrocarbon, thereby increasing its temperature and lowering its viscosity.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein irradiation micro-waves are directionally controlled to provide selective heating of selected regions of the reservoir.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein the intensity, duration and direction of irradiation of at least one high intensity microwave of a frequency corresponding to the molecular resonance frequency of at least one hydrocarbon within the reservoir is controlled to initiate a plasma torch effect in pre-determined locations within the reser-voir.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein at least two high intensity microwaves are generated from the separate sources, the union of the irradiation producing a high energy zone in the reservoir where plasma torches are activated.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the duration, intensity and frequency of the microwaves is controlled in such a manner as to initially lower the viscosity of heavier hydrocarbons, and subsequently heat lighter hydro-carbons to produce high pressure gaseous compounds which generate a pressure gradient that moves the heavier hydro-carbons into the well or canal.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the testing in-cludes spectrometry of the constituent hydrocarbons in the reservoir to determine the molecular resonance frequencies of the hydrocarbons.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the testing deter-mines chemical reactions and byproducts of the hydrocarbons by exposing the core sample to an electromagnetic field of mainly microwave frequency range.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the testing deter-mines the frequency, intensity and wave form variation that induces molecular cracking of the hydrocarbons within the core sample.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the electromag-netic waves are generated by at least one electromagnetic wave generator above the reservoir, the generator convert-ing low frequency electrical energy to high frequency electromagnetic energy, and wave guides and reflectors are used to transfer the electromagnetic energy to the reser-voir and irradiate the hydrocarbons in the reservoir.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the electromag-netic waves are generated by a generator which transfers low frequency electrical energy to a down hole device which converts the energy to high frequency electromagnetic energy to irradiate the reservoir.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the electromag-netic waves are generated by several lower power microwave generators which are placed in one or more groups to irradiate the reservoir.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the area above the reservoir is covered by microwave reflective foil to reflect the electromagnetic radiation to the reservoir.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein two adjacent networks of electromagnetic irradiation are generated to contribute to each other's effect.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the reservoir is a tar sands deposit.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the reservoir is an oil shale reservoir.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the reservoir is a partially depleted petroleum reservoir.