CN102844520B - The method of two or more heaters is installed in subsurface formations - Google Patents
The method of two or more heaters is installed in subsurface formations Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN102844520B CN102844520B CN201180018269.7A CN201180018269A CN102844520B CN 102844520 B CN102844520 B CN 102844520B CN 201180018269 A CN201180018269 A CN 201180018269A CN 102844520 B CN102844520 B CN 102844520B
- Authority
- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- heater
- stratum
- temperature
- helical configuration
- spool
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B3/00—Ohmic-resistance heating
- H05B3/40—Heating elements having the shape of rods or tubes
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B36/00—Heating, cooling, insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones
- E21B36/04—Heating, cooling, insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones using electrical heaters
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixture For Refining Petroleum (AREA)
- Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
- Resistance Heating (AREA)
Abstract
Method for installing two or more heaters in subsurface formations comprises provides a spool, and described spool comprises the helical configuration substantially of two or more heaters reeled on said reel.In the helical configuration launching heater from spool and the opening helical configuration of heater being installed in subsurface formations.
Description
Technical field
The present invention relates to the system and method for sub-surface heatedly.More particularly, the present invention relates to the system and method for heating underground hydrocarbon formations.
Background technology
The hydrocarbon obtained from subsurface formations is generally used for the energy, raw material and the consumer goods.Due to the concern of using up available hydrocarbon source and the concern declined to the total quality of the hydrocarbon produced, cause more efficiently exploiting, processing and/or utilize the technique in available hydrocarbon source to develop.Technique can be used for isolating hydrocarbon material from entering and/or use methods availalbe to extract too expensive subsurface formations before on the spot.The chemistry of hydrocarbon material in change subsurface formations and/or physical property may be needed to be easier to isolate from subsurface formations to make hydrocarbon material, and/or to improve the value of hydrocarbon material.Chemistry and physical change can comprise the generation of hydrocarbon material in stratum separable go out the situ reaction of fluid, change of component, changes in solubility, variable density, phase transformation and/or viscosity B coefficent.
Heater can be placed in the wellbore, for formation in technique on the spot.There is the much dissimilar heater that can be used for formation.Utilize the example of the technique on the spot of donwhole heater to illustrate and authorize the U.S. Patent No. 2,634,961 of Ljungstorm; Authorize the U.S. Patent No. 2,732,195 of Ljungstorm; Authorize the United States Patent (USP) 2,780,450 of Ljungstorm; Authorize the United States Patent (USP) 2,789,805 of Ljungstorm; Authorize the United States Patent (USP) 2,923,535 of Ljungstorm; Authorize the people's such as VanMerus 4,886,118; With the United States Patent (USP) 6,688 authorizing the people such as Wellington, in 387.
Mineral insulation (MI) cable (insulated electric conductor) for such as heating hydrocarbon containing formation in the application of underground is in some applications longer, larger external diameter can be had, and can operate at common voltage and the higher voltage of temperature and temperature in than MI cable industry.Much potential problem is there is in the manufacture and/or assembling process of the insulated electric conductor of length length.
Such as, there is the potential electricity caused owing to passing by time for the electrical insulator in insulated electric conductor deterioration occurs and/or mechanical problem.Also there are the potential problems relevant to electrical insulator needing to overcome in the assembling process of insulated conductor heater.Such as core is heaved or the problem such as other mechanical defects may occur in insulated conductor heater assembling process.There is such situation and may cause electric problem in heater use procedure, and heater may be made can not to be used for its expection object.
In addition, assemble at insulated electric conductor and/or be installed in the process of underground, the problem of the increase stress on insulated electric conductor may be there is.Such as, the miscellaneous part on insulated electric conductor or in insulated electric conductor can produce mechanical stress for transporting with winding on the spool of installing insulating conductor and expansion insulated electric conductor.Thus, the reduction or eliminate potential problem in the manufacture of insulated electric conductor, assembling and/or installation process of more reliable system and method is needed.
Summary of the invention
Embodiment as herein described relates in general to for the treatment of the system of subsurface formations, method and heater.Embodiment as herein described also relates in general to the heater wherein with novel components.Such heater obtains by using system and method as herein described.
In certain embodiments, the invention provides one or more systems, method and/or heater.In certain embodiments, described system, method and/or heater are for the treatment of subsurface formations.
In certain embodiments, comprise: provide spool for the method for installing two or more heaters in subsurface formations, described spool comprises the helical configuration substantially of two or more heaters reeled on said reel; The helical configuration of heater is launched from spool; And in the opening helical configuration of heater being installed in subsurface formations.
In certain embodiments, the method for installing three heaters in subsurface formations comprises: provide spool, described spool comprises the helical configuration substantially of three heaters reeled on said reel; The helical configuration of heater is launched from spool; And in the opening helical configuration of heater being installed in subsurface formations.
According to the present invention, providing a kind of method for installing two or more heaters in subsurface formations, comprising:
There is provided spool, described spool comprises the helical configuration substantially of two or more heaters reeled on said reel;
Length along described heater changes the pitch of the helical configuration of described heater, changes with the length along described heater the thermal output provided by the helical configuration of described heater;
The helical configuration of heater is launched from spool; And
The helical configuration of heater is installed in the opening in subsurface formations.
Alternatively, described subsurface formations comprises hydrocarbon containing formation.
Alternatively, described heater is insulated conductor heater.
Alternatively, the helical configuration of described heater is included in the pitch between 5% and 10%.
Alternatively, described method also comprises and uses torq to reverse two or more heaters described.
Alternatively, described method is also included in when described heater is wound on spool and reverses two or more heaters described.
Alternatively, described method be also included in described heater be wound in spool formed substantially helical configuration time reverse two or more heaters described.
Alternatively, described method also comprises and the helical configuration of described heater being wound on described spool.
According to the present invention, additionally providing a kind of method for installing three heaters in subsurface formations, comprising:
There is provided spool, described spool comprises the helical configuration substantially of three heaters reeled on said reel;
Length along described heater changes the pitch of the helical configuration of described heater, changes with the length along described heater the thermal output provided by the helical configuration of described heater;
The helical configuration of heater is launched from spool; And
The helical configuration of heater is installed in the opening in subsurface formations.
Alternatively, described subsurface formations comprises hydrocarbon containing formation.
Alternatively, described heater is insulated conductor heater.
Alternatively, the helical configuration of described heater is included in the pitch between 5% and 10%.
Alternatively, described method also comprises use torq to reverse described three heaters.
Alternatively, described method is also included in when described heater is wound on spool and reverses described three heaters.
Alternatively, described method be also included in described heater be wound in spool formed substantially helical configuration time reverse described three heaters.
Alternatively, described method also comprises and the helical configuration of described heater being wound on described spool.
According to the present invention, additionally providing a kind of method for installing two or more heaters in subsurface formations, comprising:
There is provided spool, described spool comprises the helical configuration of two or more heaters;
The helical configuration of heater is launched from spool; And
The helical configuration of heater is installed in subsurface formations.
In a further embodiment, the feature from specific embodiment can with the Feature Combination from other embodiments.Such as, from an embodiment feature can with the Feature Combination of any one embodiment from other embodiments.
In a further embodiment, any one processing that subsurface formations uses in method as herein described, system, power supply or heater is carried out.
In a further embodiment, other features can add specific embodiment as herein described to.
Accompanying drawing explanation
By referring to carry out below in conjunction with accompanying drawing to but the detailed description of exemplary embodiment at present preferred according to the present invention, by the feature and advantage of method and apparatus of the present invention for comprehend.
Fig. 1 shows the explanatory view of the embodiment of the part with regard to heat treatment system for the treatment of hydrocarbon containing formation.
Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of insulated electric conductor thermal source.
Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of insulated electric conductor thermal source.
Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of insulated electric conductor thermal source.
Fig. 5 A and 5B illustrates the sectional view of an embodiment for the temperature-limiting heater parts in insulated conductor heater.
Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the heater be just spirally wound on spool.
Fig. 7 illustrates an embodiment of three heaters be spirally wound on together.
Fig. 8 illustrates by an embodiment of three heaters be wound around around stent helix.
Although the present invention admits of various modification and alternative form, show its specific embodiment by way of example in the accompanying drawings, and will be described in detail them here.Accompanying drawing can not to scale (NTS) be drawn.Should understand, accompanying drawing and the detailed description about it are not intended to limit the invention to particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the present invention will cover the modification, equivalents and the alternative form that all fall in the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Detailed description of the invention
Description below relates in general to the system and method for the treatment of the hydrocarbon in stratum.Process can be carried out to produce hydrocarbon products, hydrogen and other products in such stratum.
" alternating current (AC) " refers to time dependent electric current, and it sinusoidally changes direction substantially.AC produces kelvin effect electric current in ferromagnetic conductor.
In the scope reducing thermal output heating system, equipment and method, term " automatically " or " automatically " refer to that this type systematic, equipment and method play a role according to specific mode and do not use external control (such as peripheral control unit, as having the controller of temperature pick up and feedback loop, PID controller or predictive controller).
" connection " is meant to (such as, one or more intermediary connects) connected directly or indirectly between one or more object or parts.Term " directly connects " the direct connection be meant between object and parts, to make object or parts be connected to each other directly, thus object or parts is operated in single-point (" pointofuse ") mode.
" Curie temperature " refers to the temperature losing its whole ferromagnetic property at the above ferrimagnet of this temperature.Except lose its ferromagnetic property whole more than Curie temperature except, ferrimagnet also starts to lose its ferromagnetic property through ferrimagnet at the electric current increased.
" stratum " comprises one or more hydrocarbon bearing formation, one or more non-hydrocarbon layers, overlying rock and/or underlying stratum." hydrocarbon layers " refers to the layer of the hydrocarbonaceous in stratum.Hydrocarbon layers can comprise non-hydrocarbon material and hydrocarbon material." overlying rock " and/or " underlying stratum " comprises one or more dissimilar impermeable materials.Such as, overlying rock and/or underlying stratum can comprise rock, shale, mud stone or wet/tight carbonate.With regard in some embodiments of heat treating processes, overlying rock and/or underlying stratum can be included in relatively impermeable in heat treatment process on the spot and a hydrocarbon bearing formation that is not temperature influence or multiple hydrocarbon bearing formation, the described significant characteristic variations causing multiple hydrocarbon bearing formations of overlying rock and/or underlying stratum with regard to heat treating processes.Such as, underlying stratum can comprise shale or mud stone, but underlying stratum does not allow to be heated to pyrolysis temperature in heat treatment process on the spot.In some cases, overlying rock and/or underlying stratum can have certain permeability.
" formation fluid " refers to the fluid be present in stratum, and can comprise pyrolyzation fluid, synthesis gas, mobilization hydrocarbon and water (steam).Formation fluid can comprise hydrocarbon fluid and non-hydrocarbon fluids.Term " mobilization fluid " refers to the fluid that can flow due to the heat treatment of formation in hydrocarbon containing formation." fluid of production " refers to the isolated fluid from stratum.
Energy fluence that " heat flux " is time per unit per unit area (such as watt/square metre).
" thermal source " for for basically by conduction and/or radiant heat transmission to stratum provide at least partially heat any system.Such as, thermal source can comprise conductive material and/or electric heater, such as, arrange conductor in circuit and/or slender member, insulated electric conductor etc.Thermal source also can comprise the system by combustion fuel generation heat in or stratum outside on stratum.Described system can be surface combustion burner, downhole gas burner, nonflame profile combustion chamber and natural distributed combustion chamber.In certain embodiments, the heat being provided to one or more thermal source or the heat produced in one or more thermal source can be provided by other energy sources.Other energy sources can direct formation, or described energy can be applied to the Transfer Medium of direct or indirect formation.Should understand, one or more thermals source heat being applied to stratum can use the different energy.Thus, such as, for the stratum of specifying, some thermals source can from conductive material, resistance heater heat supply, some thermals source provide heat by burning, some thermals source can provide heat from one or more other energy (such as, chemical reaction, solar energy, wind energy, living beings or other regenerative resources).Chemical reaction can comprise exothermic reaction (such as oxidation reaction).Thermal source also can comprise conductive material and/or heater, and it provides heat to close and/or around heating location such as heater well region.
" heater " is any system for producing heat in well or near shaft area or thermal source.Heater may be, but not limited to, electric heater, burner, the combustion chamber of reacting with the material in stratum or the material produced from stratum, and/or it combines.
" hydrocarbon " is defined as the molecule formed primarily of carbon and hydrogen atom usually.Hydrocarbon also can comprise other elements, such as but not limited to halogen, metallic element, nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulphur.Hydrocarbon may be, but not limited to, oil bearing rock, pitch, pyrobitumen, oil, natural mineral wax and asphaltite.Hydrocarbon can be arranged in the Minerals And Rocks or adjacent with mineral substrate of the earth.Matrix can include but not limited to sedimentary rock, sand, silicilyte, carbonate, kieselguhr and other porous medias." hydrocarbon fluid " is the fluid comprising hydrocarbon.Hydrocarbon fluid can comprise, carry non-hydrocarbon fluids secretly, or is entrained in non-hydrocarbon fluids, and described non-hydrocarbon fluids is such as hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, water and ammonia.
" on the spot conversion process " refers to, from heat source hydrocarbon containing formation, be increased to higher than pyrolysis temperature by the temperature at least partially on stratum, to generate the technique of pyrolyzation fluid in the earth formation.
" with regard to heat treating processes " refers to use heat source hydrocarbon containing formation, the temperature at least partially on stratum is increased to higher than formation mobilization fluid, causes hydrocarbon material visbreaking and/or pyrolysis, thus produce the temperature of mobilization fluid, visbroken fluids and/or pyrolyzation fluid in the earth formation.
" insulated electric conductor " refers to conduct electricity and any elongated material covered by electrically insulating material in whole or in part.
" modulating dc current (DC) " refers to any changing currents with time of non-sine substantially that can produce kelvin effect electric current in ferromagnetic conductor.
" nitride " refers to the compound of one or more other elements in nitrogen and periodic table.Nitride includes but not limited to silicon nitride, boron nitride or aluminium nitride.
" perforation " comprises the opening of permission inflow in the wall of pipeline, pipe, conduit or other flow channels or outflow conduit, pipe, conduit or other flow channels, groove, hole or hole.
" phase transition temperature " of ferrimagnet refers to the temperature or the temperature range that undergo phase transition (such as from ferrite to austenite) period at material, and this phase transformation makes the magnetic conductivity of ferrimagnet reduce.The reduction of this magnetic conductivity be similar to due under Curie temperature ferrimagnet magnetic transition and the magnetic conductivity that causes reduces.
" pyrolysis " is that chemical bond disconnects due to the applying of heat.Such as, pyrolysis can comprise only by heating change compound into one or more other materials.Heat can be delivered to the part on stratum to cause pyrolysis.
" pyrolyzation fluid " or " thermal decomposition product " refers to the fluid substantially generated in hydrocarbon pyrolytic process.The fluid generated by pyrolytic reaction can with other fluid chemical field in stratum.Mixture will be considered to pyrolyzation fluid or thermal decomposition product.As used herein, " pyrolysis zone " refers to the volume (such as, relatively permeable stratum, as tar sand formation) reacting to be formed pyrolyzation fluid on stratum.
" superposition of heat " refers to that the selected part from two or more thermals source to stratum provides heat, affects by these thermals source to make the formation temperature of at least between heat sources position.
" temperature-limiting heater " typically refers to and more than set point of temperature, to control thermal output (such as, reducing thermal output) and without the need to using the heater of external control, described external control is such as temperature controller, power governor, rectifier or other device.Temperature-limiting heater can be the resistance heater that AC (alternating current) or modulation (such as " copped wave ") DC (DC current) are powered.
" thickness " of layer refers to the thickness in the cross section of layer, and wherein, described cross section orthogonal is in the surface of described layer.
" changing currents with time " refers in ferromagnetic conductor, produce kelvin effect electric current and the time dependent electric current of size.Changing currents with time not only comprises alternating current (AC) but also comprise modulating dc current (DC).
Wherein electric current is directly applied to " regulate than " of the temperature-limiting heater of heater is for given electric current, the ratio of the minimum resistance more than maximum AC below Curie temperature or modulation DC resistance and Curie temperature.The adjustment of induction heater than being given electric current for being applied to heater, the maximum heat below Curie temperature export with Curie temperature more than the ratio that exports of minimum thermal.
" u shape pit shaft " refers to the pit shaft passed at least partially and by the second opening in stratum extending through stratum from the first opening stratum.In this article, pit shaft can only substantially in " v " shape or " u " shape, for the pit shaft being considered as " u " shape, " leg " of " u " shape should be understood to do not need parallel to each other or perpendicular to " end " of " u ".
Term " pit shaft " refers in stratum by drilling well or the hole that will be formed in pipeline insert into stratum.Pit shaft can have substantially circular cross section, or other shape of cross sections.As used herein, term " well " and " opening ", when relating to the opening in stratum, can exchange with term " pit shaft " and using.
Stratum can process to produce much different products in many ways.In heat treatment process on the spot, different steps or technique can be used for processing stratum.In certain embodiments, one or more parts on stratum isolate solvable mineral by solution mining from described part.Solution exploitation mineral can before with regard to heat treating processes, carry out in process and/or afterwards.In certain embodiments, the average temperature of carrying out one or more parts of solution mining can keep below about 120 DEG C.
In certain embodiments, one or more parts on stratum are heated to be separated water outlet from described part, and/or isolates methane and other volatile hydrocarbons from described part.In certain embodiments, isolate in process at water and volatile hydrocarbon, average temperature can be elevated to temperature lower than about 220 DEG C from environment temperature.
In certain embodiments, one or more parts on stratum are heated to the temperature allowing hydrocarbon motion in stratum and/or visbreaking.In certain embodiments, the average temperature of one or more parts on stratum is elevated to the mobilization temperature (such as, being elevated to from 100 DEG C to 250 DEG C, from 120 DEG C to 240 DEG C, or from the temperature range of 150 DEG C to 230 DEG C) of the hydrocarbon in described part.
In certain embodiments, one or more part is heated to the temperature allowing to carry out pyrolytic reaction in stratum.In certain embodiments, the average temperature of one or more parts on stratum can be elevated to the temperature (such as from 230 DEG C to 900 DEG C, from 240 DEG C to 400 DEG C or from the temperature range of 250 DEG C to 350 DEG C) of the hydrocarbon pyrolysis in described part.
Use multiple heat source hydrocarbon containing formation may form thermal gradient around thermal source, the hydrocarbon in stratum is elevated to preferred temperature by described thermal source under the expectation rate of heat addition.By expecting that the mobilization temperature range of product and/or the temperature increase rate of pyrolysis temperature range can affect quality and the quantity of the formation fluid produced from hydrocarbon containing formation for obtaining.Formation temperature is slowly raised through mobilization temperature range and/or pyrolysis temperature range, the hydrocarbon producing high-quality height api gravity from stratum can be allowed.Slow rising formation temperature can allow to isolate by mobilization temperature range and/or pyrolysis temperature range and be present in a large amount of hydrocarbon in stratum as hydrocarbon products.
In some heat treatment embodiments on the spot, the part on stratum is heated to preferred temperature, instead of temperature is slowly raised through a temperature range.In certain embodiments, preferred temperature is 300 DEG C, 325 DEG C or 350 DEG C.Other temperature can be selected as preferred temperature.
The superposition carrying out the heat of self-heat power allows preferred temperature in the earth formation relatively fast and set up efficiently.Adjustable energy input from thermal source to stratum, to remain essentially in preferred temperature by the temperature in stratum.
By producing well from stratum activity in production and/or thermal decomposition product.In certain embodiments, the average temperature of one or more part is elevated to mobilization temperature, and hydrocarbon is produced from producing well.Because mobilization is reduced to lower than set point value, therefore the average temperature of one or more part can be elevated to pyrolysis temperature after manufacturing.In certain embodiments, the average temperature of one or more part can be elevated to pyrolysis temperature and not produce too much before reaching pyrolysis temperature.The formation fluid comprising thermal decomposition product is produced by producing well.
In certain embodiments, after mobilization and/or pyrolysis, the average temperature of one or more part can be elevated to the temperature enough allowing to carry out synthesis gas production.In certain embodiments, hydrocarbon can be elevated to the temperature enough allowing to carry out synthesis gas production, but not produce too much before reaching the temperature enough allowing to carry out synthesis gas production.Such as, synthesis gas can at about 400 DEG C to about 1200 DEG C, about 500 DEG C to about 1100 DEG C, or generate in the temperature range of about 550 DEG C to about 1000 DEG C.The fluid (such as steam and/or water) producing synthesis gas can be incorporated in described part and produce synthesis gas.Synthesis gas can be produced from producing well.
Solution mining, isolate volatile hydrocarbon and water, make hydrocarbon mobilization, pyrolysed hydrocarbon, generation synthesis gas and/or other technique can carry out in heat treatment process on the spot.In certain embodiments, some techniques can be carried out after with regard to heat treating processes.Such step can include but not limited to, from the partially recycled heat processed, pre-treatment part storing fluid (such as water and/or hydrocarbon) and/or pre-treatment part in carbon dioxide sequestration.
Fig. 1 illustrates the schematic diagram of the embodiment of the part with regard to heat treatment system for the treatment of hydrocarbon containing formation.Should can comprise with regard to heat treatment system and intercept well 200.Intercept well to be used for forming transfer barrier around processing region.Transfer barrier suppression fluid flows into and/or flows out treatment region.Intercept well and include but not limited to dewatering well, vacuum well, trapping well, injector well, grout wells, freezing well or its combination.In certain embodiments, intercepting well 200 is dewatering well.Dewatering well can be removed liquid water and/or suppress liquid water enter ground layer segment to be heated or arrive the stratum of heating.In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, intercept well 200 and be shown as and only extend along the side of thermal source 202, but obstruct well usually around for or be ready to use in whole thermals source 202 of formation heat-treatment zone.
Thermal source 202 be placed on stratum at least partially in.Thermal source 202 can comprise heater, such as insulated electric conductor, pipe inner wire heater, surface combustion burner, nonflame profile combustion chamber and/or natural distributed combustion chamber.Thermal source 202 also can comprise the heater of other types.Thermal source 202 is warm to providing at least partially of stratum, with the hydrocarbon in formation.Energy is provided to thermal source 202 by supply lines 204.Supply lines 204 can construct by different way according to for a thermal source of formation or the type of multiple thermal source.Supply lines 204 for thermal source can transmit the electric power for electric heater, can carry the fuel for burner, or carries the heat exchanging fluid circulated in the earth formation.In certain embodiments, can be provided by a nuclear power station or multiple nuclear power station for the electric power with regard to heat treating processes.The use of nuclear power can make to reduce or eliminate discharges carbon dioxide from regard to heat treating processes.
When formation, stratum expansion and rock mechanics can be caused to move to the heat input in stratum.Thermal source can before dehydration, with dehydration simultaneously or open in dehydration.Computer simulation can be the response modeling of stratum to heating.Computer simulation can be used to develop mode and the sequential for starting thermal source in stratum, with the function making the rock mechanics on stratum move other equipment that can not adversely affect in thermal source, producing well and stratum.
Formation can cause the permeability on stratum and/or the raising of void content.The raising of permeability and/or void content may due to the material in stratum because of evaporation be separated water outlet, isolate hydrocarbon and/or form crackle and reduce and cause.Due to permeability and the void content of the raising on stratum, fluid can more easily stratum by heating part in flow.Due to improve permeability and void content, stratum can be passed the sizable distance of strata deformation by the fluid in heating part.Described sizable distance more than 1000m, can depend on many factors, the temperature on the permeability on such as stratum, the performance of fluid, stratum, makes the barometric gradient of fluid movement.The ability that fluid moves quite large distance in the earth formation makes producing well 206 can be relatively far spaced apart in the earth formation.
Producing well 206 is for isolating formation fluid from stratum.In certain embodiments, producing well 206 comprises thermal source.Thermal source in producing well can producing well place or near one or more parts of formation.At some with regard in heat treating processes embodiment, the heat being provided to stratum from producing well of every meter of producing well is less than the heat being applied to stratum from the thermal source of formation of every meter of thermal source.The heat being applied to stratum from producing well is by evaporation and isolate the liquid phase fluid adjacent with producing well, and/or by forming macroscopic view and/or microfissure improves the stratum permeability adjacent with producing well, improves the stratum permeability adjacent with producing well.
A more than thermal source can be arranged in producing well.When stratum is fully heated by the heat superposition from adjacent multiple thermal source, thus when offsetting the benefit by using producing well formation to provide, the thermal source in producing well bottom can be closed.In certain embodiments, after the thermal source in producing well bottom stops, the thermal source in the top of producing well can stay open.Thermal source in producing well top can suppress condensation and the backflow of formation fluid.
In certain embodiments, the thermal source in producing well 206 allows formation fluid to isolate from stratum with vapor phase.Producing well place or through producing well provide heating can: (1) when produce fluid move in producing well near overlying rock time, suppress condensation and/or the backflow of such production fluid, (2) the heat input in stratum is brought up to, (3) compared with the producing well not having thermal source, improve the productivity ratio of producing well, (4) suppress the condensation of producing well medium high carbon number compound (hydrocarbon of C6 hydrocarbon and Geng Gao carbon number), and/or (5) improve producing well place or neighbouring stratum permeability.
Subsurface pressure in stratum may correspond to the fluid pressure produced in stratum.When being raised by the temperature in heating part of stratum, can be produced and evaporation of water and increasing due to the thermal expansion of fluid on the spot, the fluid that increases by the pressure in heating part.Control fluid from the pressure isolated speed tolerable control stratum, stratum.Pressure in stratum can be determined at multiple diverse location place, such as, near producing well or producing well place, near heating sources or thermal source place or monitor well place.
In some hydrocarbon containing formations, produce hydrocarbon from stratum and be suppressed, until at least some of hydrocarbon in stratum is by mobilization and/or pyrolysis.When formation fluid has selected quality, formation fluid can be produced from stratum.In certain embodiments, selected quality comprises at least about 20 °, the api gravity of 30 ° or 40 °.Suppress to produce until at least some hydrocarbon is by mobilization and/or pyrolysis, the conversion of heavy hydrocarbon to lighter hydrocarbons can be improved.Suppress initial production to reduce as far as possible and produce heavy hydrocarbon from stratum.The production of a large amount of heavy hydrocarbon may need expensive equipment, and/or shortens the application life of production equipment.
In some hydrocarbon containing formations, the hydrocarbon in stratum can stratum by heating part in produce large permeability before, be heated to mobilization and/or pyrolysis temperature.Initial shortage permeability can suppress the fluid produced to be transported to producing well 206.In initial warm, at close thermal source place, the fluid pressure in stratum can increase.The fluid pressure increased discharges by one or more thermal source 202, monitor, changes and/or controls.Such as, selected thermal source 202 or independent relief well can comprise reducing valve, and some fluids are isolated from stratum by its permission.
In certain embodiments, the pressure that the expansion of other fluids owing to producing in mobilization fluid, pyrolyzation fluid or stratum can be allowed to produce improves, but can not there is the path or any other Pressure Drop that lead to producing well 206 in stratum.Fluid pressure can allow to increase to lithostatic pressure.When fluid is close to lithostatic pressure, crackle can be formed in hydrocarbon containing formation.Such as, crackle can stratum by heating part in formed from thermal source 202 to producing well.Some pressure in described part can be discharged by the generation of crackle in heating part.Pressure in stratum may must remain on below selected pressure, to suppress the coking of hydrocarbon in less desirable product, the fracture of overlying rock or underlying stratum and/or stratum.
Arrival mobilization and/or pyrolysis temperature and can from stratum produce after, pressure in stratum can change, thus the component of the formation fluid of change and/or production control, control condensable fluid in stratum with can not percentage compared with condensed fluid, and/or control the api gravity of the formation fluid produced.Such as, the production that pressure can cause larger condensable fluid component is reduced.Condensable fluid component can comprise the alkene of larger percentage.
At some with regard in heat treating processes embodiment, the pressure in stratum can keep enough high, produces with the formation fluid promoting to have the api gravity being greater than 20 °.Keep the pressure increased can suppress with regard to stratum settlement in heat treatment process in the earth formation.Keep the pressure increased can to reduce or eliminate in surface layer fluid compressively in collecting pipe, transport fluid into the needs for the treatment of facility.
Stratum by heating part in keep the pressure increased can allow to produce the hydrocarbon of quality and the low relative molecular amount in a large number with raising astoundingly.Pressure can remain the compound higher than selected carbon number making the formation fluid produced have minimum.Selected carbon number can be 25 to the maximum, is 20 to the maximum, is 12 to the maximum, or is 8 to the maximum.Some high carbon number compounds can be carried secretly in steam in the earth formation, and can isolate from stratum with steam.Keep the pressure increased that high carbon number compounds and/or polycyclic hydrocarbon compounds can be suppressed to be entrained in steam in the earth formation.High carbon number compounds and/or polycyclic hydrocarbon compounds can liquid phase retain very long-time in the earth formation.This can be compound pyrolysis very for a long time and provides grace time, to form comparatively low carbon number compound.
The generation of the hydrocarbon of low relative molecular amount is considered to partly due to automatic generation and the reaction of the hydrogen in a part for hydrocarbon containing formation.Such as, keep the pressure increased that the hydrogen produced in pyrolytic process can be forced to enter liquid phase in stratum.The temperature described part be heated in pyrolysis temperature range can by the hydrocarbon pyrolysis in stratum to produce liquid phase pyrolysis fluid.The liquid phase pyrolysis fluid components produced can comprise double bond and/or base.Hydrogen (H in liquid phase
2) double bond in the pyrolyzation fluid of generation can be reduced, reduce the polymerization of long-chain compound from the pyrolyzation fluid produced or the possibility of formation thus.In addition, H
2also can neutralize the base in the pyrolyzation fluid of generation.H in liquid phase
2the pyrolyzation fluid produced can be suppressed to react each other and/or react with other compounds in stratum.
The formation fluid produced from producing well 206 is transferred to treatment facility 210 by collecting pipe 208.Formation fluid also can be produced from thermal source 202.Such as, fluid can produce from thermal source 202 pressure controlled the stratum adjacent with described thermal source.The fluid produced from thermal source 202 to collecting pipe 208 by conduit or Pipeline transport, or is produced fluid and is delivered directly to treatment facility 210 by conduit or pipeline.Treatment facility 210 can comprise separator, reaction unit, lifting appliance, fuel cell, turbine, storage container and/or for the treatment of the other system of producing formation fluid and device.Described treatment facility can form the transfer the fuel at least partially carrying out the hydrocarbon produced since stratum.In certain embodiments, transfer the fuel can be burner oil, such as JP-8.
Insulated electric conductor can be used as the electrical heater element of heater or thermal source.Insulated electric conductor can comprise by electrical insulator around internal electrical conductor (core), and external electrical conductor (sheath).Electrical insulator can comprise mineral insulating material (such as magnesia) or other electrically insulating materials.
In certain embodiments, insulated electric conductor is placed in the opening in hydrocarbon containing formation.In some embodiments, insulated electric conductor is placed in the bore hole opening in hydrocarbon containing formation.Insulated electric conductor is placed in the bore hole opening in hydrocarbon containing formation and heat can be made to be delivered to stratum by radiation and conduction from insulated electric conductor.Use bore hole opening can be convenient to insulated electric conductor to fetch from well, if necessary.
In certain embodiments, insulated electric conductor is placed in sleeve pipe in the earth formation, can be fixed in stratum, sand, rubble or other fillers maybe can be used to be packed in opening.Insulated electric conductor can be supported on setting supporting member in the opening.Supporting member can be cable, bar or pipeline (such as conduit).Supporting member can be made up of metal, pottery, inorganic material or its combination.Because the part of in use supporting member can be exposed to formation fluid and heating, therefore supporting member can chemical species and/or heat-resisting.
The connector of tether, spot welding and/or other types can be used for insulated electric conductor to be connected to supporting member at the diverse location place along insulated electric conductor length.Supporting member can be attached to well head at upper surface place, stratum.In certain embodiments, insulated electric conductor has enough structural strengths, thus does not need supporting member.Insulated electric conductor can have at least some flexibility under many circumstances, to prevent thermal expansion from damaging when occurrence temperature changes.
In certain embodiments, insulated electric conductor is placed in the wellbore when not having supporting member and/or centralizer.There is no the insulated electric conductor of supporting member and/or centralizer to have to suppress the appropriately combined of the insulated electric conductor in use heat and corrosion resistance of fault, creep strength, length, thickness (diameter) and metallurgical performance.
Fig. 2 illustrates the three-dimensional view of the end of an embodiment of insulated electric conductor 252.Insulated electric conductor 252 can have the shape of cross section of any expectation, such as, be still not limited to circle (shown in Fig. 2), triangle, ellipse, rectangle, hexagon or irregularly shaped.In certain embodiments, insulated electric conductor 252 comprises core 218, electrical insulator 214 and sheath 216.Core 218 can at electric current by resistance heated during described core.Alternating current or changing currents with time and/or DC current can be used for providing power to core 218, to make core resistance heated.
In certain embodiments, electrical insulator 214 suppresses current leakage to sheath 216 and arc discharge.Electrical insulator 214 can by the heat heat transfer of generation in core 218 to sheath 216.Sheath 216 can to stratum radiation or heat by conduction.In certain embodiments, insulated electric conductor 252 length is 1000 meters or longer.Longer or shorter insulated electric conductor also can be used for the needs meeting application-specific.The size of the core 218 of insulated electric conductor 252, electrical insulator 214 and sheath 216 may be selected to insulated electric conductor is had enough intensity comes even still can self-supporting under upper limit working temperature.Such insulated electric conductor can from well head or the cradle hangs being arranged on the near interface between overlying rock and hydrocarbon containing formation, and without the need to extending to the supporting member in hydrocarbon containing formation together with insulated electric conductor.
Insulated electric conductor 252 can be designed for and operate under Gao Keda about 1650 watts/meter or higher power level.In certain embodiments, when formation, operate under the power level of insulated electric conductor 252 between about 300 watts/meter and about 1150 watts/meter.Insulated electric conductor 252 can be designed so that the maximum voltage level under usual operating temperature does not make electrical insulator 214 produce significant heat and/or electrical breakdown.Insulated electric conductor 252 can be designed so that sheath 216 is no more than and will cause the significantly reduced temperature of sheath material corrosion resisting property.In certain embodiments, insulated electric conductor 252 can be designed to reach the temperature in the scope between about 650 DEG C and about 900 DEG C.Can be formed there are other opereating specifications insulated electric conductor to meet specific operation requirement.
Fig. 2 illustrates the insulated electric conductor 252 with single core 218.In certain embodiments, insulated electric conductor 252 has two or more cores 218.Such as, single insulated electric conductor can have three cores.Core 218 can be made up of metal or other conductive materials.Metal for the formation of core 218 can include but not limited to nichrome, copper, nickel, carbon steel, stainless steel and combination thereof.In certain embodiments, core 218 is chosen to have certain diameter and resistivity at the operational makes it in electricity with the resistance making it and obtained by Ohm's law and configuration aspects is stablized, thus the maximum voltage that the every meter of power consumption, heater length and/or the core material that realize selecting allow.
In certain embodiments, core 218 is made from a variety of materials along the length of insulated electric conductor 252.Such as, the Part I of core 218 can be made up of the material that resistance is more much lower than the Part II of described core.Part I can with do not need to be heated to the stratum placed adjacent with the second the same high-temperature in stratum, described second stratum is adjacent with Part II.The resistivity of the various piece of core 218 is by having variable-diameter and/or assigning to regulate by having the multiple cores be made up of different materials.
Electrical insulator 214 can be made of a variety of materials.Normally used powder can include but not limited to, MgO, Al
2o
3, zirconia, BeO, the different chemical variant of spinelle, and combination.MgO can provide good heat conductivity and electrical insulation capability.The electrical insulation capability expected comprises low-leakage current and high dielectric strength.Low-leakage current reduces the possibility of thermal breakdown, and high dielectric strength reduces the possibility striding across isolator arc discharge.If leakage current causes the progressive rising of the temperature of isolator, then may there is thermal breakdown, also cause striding across isolator arc discharge.
Sheath 216 can be outer metal level or conductive layer.Sheath 216 can be in hot formation fluid and contact.Sheath 216 can be made up of the material under high-temperature with highly corrosion resistant.The alloy that can be used for the desired operation temperature range of sheath 216 include but not limited to 304 stainless steels, 310 stainless steels,
with
(IncoAlloysInternational, Huntington, WestVirginia, U.S.A.).The thickness of sheath 216 enough may use and continue 30 to ten years in heat and corrosive atmosphere.The thickness of sheath 216 can usually at about 1mm with about change between 3.5mm.Such as, the 310 stainless steel skins that 1.3mm is thick can be used as sheath 216, to provide the formation being continued above 3 years by the good chemical resistance of the sulfidation corrosion in the thermal treatment zone.Larger or less jacket thickness can be used for meeting specifically applies requirement.
One or more insulated electric conductor can be placed in opening in the earth formation, to form a thermal source or multiple thermal source.Each insulated electric conductor that electric current can transport through in opening carrys out formation.Alternatively, electric current can transport through the selected insulated electric conductor in opening.The conductor do not used can be used as back-up heater.Insulated electric conductor any convenient manner can be electrically coupled to power supply.Every one end of insulated electric conductor can be connected to the lead-in cable through well head.Such structure has 180 ° of bendings near being arranged on bottom thermal source (" zig zag " bending) or part of turning round usually.The insulated electric conductors comprising 180 ° of bendings or part of turning round can not need bottom terminals, but 180 ° to bend or turn round part may be electricity in heater and/or structural weak points.Insulated electric conductor can series, parallel or electrically connect together with connection in series-parallel hybrid mode.In some embodiments of thermal source, electric current can be sent in the conductor of insulated electric conductor, and by place bottom thermal source, core 218 is connected to sheath 216 (shown in Fig. 2) and is returned by the sheath of insulated electric conductor.
In certain embodiments, three insulated electric conductors 252 are electrically coupled to power supply with 3 phase Y-shaped structures.Fig. 3 illustrates in the opening in subsurface formations with the embodiment of three insulated electric conductors of Y-shaped structure connection.Fig. 4 illustrates the embodiment of three insulated electric conductors 252 that can take out from the opening 238 stratum.Three insulated electric conductors in Y-shaped structure do not need bottom to connect.Alternatively, whole three insulated electric conductors of Y-shaped structure can link together near the bottom of opening.Described connection can directly be formed in the end of the heating part of insulated electric conductor or in the end of cold pin (less resistive part), and wherein said cold pin is connected to heating part at the bottom place of insulated electric conductor.Bottom connects the tank that isolator can be used to fill or seal or the tank using epoxy resin filling obtains.This isolator can be the component identical with the isolator being used as electrically insulating material.
In Fig. 3 and 4, illustrated three insulated electric conductors 252 can use centralizer 222 to be connected to supporting member 220.Alternatively, insulated electric conductor 252 can use metal tape to be directly bundled into supporting member 220.Centralizer 222 can make insulated electric conductor 252 be held in place on supporting member 220 and/or suppress the movement of insulated electric conductor 252 on supporting member 220.Centralizer 222 can be made up of metal, pottery or its combination.Metal can be the metal that stainless steel maybe can tolerate any other type of corrosion and hot environment.In certain embodiments, centralizer 222 is the bending metals band being welded to supporting member with the distance being less than about 6m.Al is may be, but not limited to, for the pottery in centralizer 222
2o
3, MgO or other electrical insulators.Centralizer 222 can keep the position of insulated electric conductor 252 on supporting member 220, is suppressed under the operating temperature of insulated electric conductor to make the movement of insulated electric conductor.But insulated electric conductor 252 is some flexibility also, to bear the expansion of supporting member 220 in heating process.
Supporting member 220, insulated electric conductor 252 and centralizer 222 can be placed in the opening 238 in hydrocarbon layers 240.Insulated electric conductor 252 can use cold pin 226 to be connected to bottom conductor junction surface 224.Each insulated electric conductor 252 can electrically connect by bottom conductor junction surface 224 each other.Bottom conductor junction surface 224 can comprise conduction but in opening 238 occur temperature under infusible material.Cold pin 226 can be have insulated electric conductor more low-resistance than insulated electric conductor 252.
Introduce conductor 228 and can be connected to well head 242, to provide electric power to insulated electric conductor 252.Introduce conductor 228 to be made up of the conductor of rather low resistance, produce to make relatively little heat introduce conductor because electric current passes through.In certain embodiments, the twisted copper wires that conductor is rubber or polymer insulation is introduced.In certain embodiments, introducing conductor is the mineral insulated conductor with copper core.Introduce conductor 228 and be connected to well head 242 by the sealing flange be arranged between overlying rock 246 and surface 250 at surperficial 250 places.Sealing flange can escape to surface 250 from opening 238 by suppression fluid.
In certain embodiments, introducing conductor 228 uses transition conductor 230 to be connected to insulated electric conductor 252.Transition conductor 230 can be the less resistive part of insulated electric conductor 252.Transition conductor 230 can be described as " cold pin " of insulated electric conductor 252.Transition conductor 230 can be designed to the power that per unit length consumes about 1/10th to about 1/5th of consumed power in the main heating part per unit length of insulated electric conductor 252.Transition conductor 230 can usually at about 1.5m with about between 15m, but can use shorter or longer length to adapt to application-specific requirement.In one embodiment, the conductor of transition conductor 230 is copper.The electrical insulator of transition conductor 230 can be the electrical insulator with identical type used in main heating part.The sheath of transition conductor 230 can be made up of corrosion resistant material.
In certain embodiments, transition conductor 230 is connected to by junction joint or other connecting joints and introduces conductor 228.Junction joint also can be used for transition conductor 230 to be connected to insulated electric conductor 252.Junction joint can tolerate the temperature (such as equaling the temperature of the half of target area operating temperature) close to target area operating temperature, depends on whether the number of conductor in opening and junction joint interlock.The density of the electrically insulating material in junction joint should be enough high to tolerate temperature required and operating voltage under many circumstances.
In certain embodiments, as shown in Figure 3, filler 248 is arranged between overlying rock sleeve pipe 244 and opening 238.In certain embodiments, overlying rock sleeve pipe 244 can be fixed to overlying rock 246 by reinforcing material 232.Filler 248 can flow to surface 250 from opening 238 by suppression fluid.Reinforcing material 232 can comprise the G level or H class a portland cement, slag or silica flour and/or its mixture that such as mix with the silica flour for improving high-temperature behavior.In certain embodiments, reinforcing material 232 radial direction extends the width of about 5cm to about 25cm.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, supporting member 220 and introducing conductor 228 can be connected to well head 242 at surface 250 place on stratum.Surface conductor 234 can be attached to well head 242 around reinforcing material 232.The embodiment of surface conductor may extend into the degree of depth of about 3m to about 515m in the opening in stratum.Alternatively, surface conductor may extend into the degree of depth of about 9m in stratum.Electric current can be provided to insulated electric conductor 252 from power supply, thus produces heat due to the resistance of insulated electric conductor.Can transmit opening 238 from the heat of three insulated electric conductors 252 generations and carry out heat hydrocarbon layer 240 at least partially.
The heat produced by insulated electric conductor 252 can heat hydrocarbon containing formation at least partially.In certain embodiments, stratum is transferred heat to basically by the heat produced to the radiation on stratum.Due to the gas existed in opening, therefore some heat are by the conduction of heat or convection current transmission.Opening can be bore hole opening, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.Bore hole opening eliminate to by the heater thermosetting jail cost relevant to stratum, the cost relevant to sleeve pipe, and/or heater is encapsulated in the cost in hole.In addition, the heat trnasfer undertaken by radiation is usually than more efficient by conduction, and therefore heater can operate at a lower temperature in uncased wellbore.Conductive heat transfer in thermal source initial operation process strengthens by adding gas in the opening.Under gas can remain on the pressure of Gao Keda about 27 bar absolute pressure.Gas can include but not limited to carbon dioxide and/or helium.Insulated conductor heater in uncased wellbore can advantageously free wxpansion or contraction, with accommodate thermal expansion and contraction.Insulated conductor heater can advantageously can take out or arrangement again from uncased wellbore.
In certain embodiments, insulated conductor heater assembly uses winding assembly to install or takes out.A more than winding assembly can be used for installing insulating conductor and supporting member simultaneously.Alternatively, supporting member can use coil device to install.Heater can be unfolded, and is connected to support time in support fill-in well.Electric heater and supporting member can launch from winding assembly.Liner can be connected to supporting member and heater along the length of supporting member.Other winding assemblies can be used for other electrical heater element.
Temperature-limiting heater can be at certain temperatures for heater provides the structure of automatic temp limit performance and/or can comprise at certain temperatures for heater provides the material of automatic temp limit performance.In certain embodiments, ferrimagnet is used in temperature-limiting heater.Ferrimagnet the Curie temperature of material and/or transition temperature range or near can self-limit temperature, to provide the heat of minimizing when changing currents with time puts on material.In certain embodiments, the temperature of ferrimagnet oneself's restriction temperature-limiting heater under selected temperature, this selected temperature is approximately Curie temperature and/or in transition temperature range.In certain embodiments, selected temperature in about 35 DEG C of transition temperature range and/or Curie temperature, in about 25 DEG C, in about 20 DEG C, or in about 10 DEG C.In certain embodiments, ferrimagnet and other material (such as high conductance material, high-strength material, resistant material or its combine) connect to provide various electricity and/or mechanical performance.Some parts of temperature-limiting heater can have the resistance (by different geometries and/or by use different ferromagnetism and/or nonferromugnetic material caused by) lower than other parts of temperature-limiting heater.Make the parts of temperature-limiting heater have various material and/or size, just allow the expectation thermal output of each parts obtained from heater.
Temperature-limiting heater other heater comparable is more reliable.Temperature-limiting heater can comparatively be not easy to due to the focus in stratum and damage or lost efficacy.In certain embodiments, temperature-limiting heater allows homogeneous heating stratum substantially.In certain embodiments, temperature-limiting heater can by the whole length along heater operation and more effectively formation under higher evenly heat exports.Temperature-limiting heater is along whole length operation under higher evenly heat exports of heater, if this is because exceed along the temperature of any point of heater or be about to exceed the maximum allowable operating temperature (M.A.O.T.) of heater, the power being sent to heater need not be lowered to the degree of whole heater, and so typical constant wattage heater is exactly.The thermal output close to the Curie temperature of heater and/or the part of transition temperature range carrying out self-limiting heater temperature automatically reduces, and does not need the changing currents with time to being applied to heater to carry out in check adjustment.Due to the change of the electrical property (such as resistance) of the part of temperature-limiting heater, thermal output automatically reduces.Therefore, during the greater part of heating process, supply more power by temperature-limiting heater.
In certain embodiments, when temperature-limiting heater is by changing currents with time energy supply, first the system comprising temperature-limiting heater provides the first thermal output, then when transition temperature range and/or the Curie temperature of the active component close to heater, at transition temperature range and/or the Curie temperature of the active component of heater, or more than the transition temperature range and/or Curie temperature of the active component of heater, provide (the second thermal output) thermal output of reduction.First thermal output is thermal output at a certain temperature, and below this temperature, temperature-limiting heater starts oneself's restriction.In certain embodiments, first thermal output is the temperature of below the Curie temperature of ferrimagnet in temperature-limiting heater and/or transition temperature range about 50 DEG C, the temperature of about 75 DEG C below, the below thermal output of the temperature of about 100 DEG C or the temperature of following about 125 DEG C.
Changing currents with time (alternating current or the modulating dc current) energy supply of temperature-limiting heater by supplying at well head.Well head can comprise power supply and for other parts (such as modulating part, transformer and/or capacitor) to temperature-limiting heater supply power.Temperature-limiting heater can be one of many heaters of the part for formation.
In certain embodiments, thinner conductive layer is used for the major part providing the resistance heat of temperature-limiting heater to export under up to the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic conductor and/or the temperature of transition temperature range or the temperature near it.This type of temperature-limiting heater can be used as the heater in insulated conductor heater.The heater of insulated conductor heater can be positioned at epitheca inside, between this epitheca and heater, have insulating layer.
Fig. 5 A and 5B shows the sectional view of an embodiment of the insulated conductor heater of the temperature-limiting heater had as heater.Insulated electric conductor 252 comprises core 218, ferromagnetic conductor 236, inner conductor 212, electrical insulator 214 and sheath 216.Core 218 is copper core.Ferromagnetic conductor 236 is such as iron or ferroalloy.
The thinner conductive layer that inner conductor 212 is formed for nonferromugnetic material, has higher electric conductivity than ferromagnetic conductor 236.In certain embodiments, inner conductor 212 is copper.Inner conductor 212 can be copper alloy.Copper alloy has more flat resistance relative to temperature curve than blunt copper usually.More flat resistance can provide the less change of the thermal output according to the temperature change up to Curie temperature and/or transition temperature range relative to temperature curve.In certain embodiments, inner conductor 212 is for having copper (the such as CuNi of the nickel calculating by weight 6%
6or LOHM
tM).In certain embodiments, inner conductor 212 is CuNi
10fe
1mn alloy.Below the Curie temperature and/or transition temperature range of ferromagnetic conductor 236, the major part of the current flowing of inner conductor 212 is led in the magnetic behavior constraint of ferromagnetic conductor.Therefore, below Curie temperature and/or transition temperature range, the major part that inner conductor 212 provides the resistance heat of insulated electric conductor 252 to export.
In certain embodiments, together with core 218 and ferromagnetic conductor 236, inner conductor 212 size makes inner conductor provide the heat output of expectation and the adjustment ratio of expectation.Such as, inner conductor 212 can have the cross-sectional area of about 2 or 3 times of the cross-sectional area lower than core 218.Usually, if inner conductor is copper or copper alloy, inner conductor 212 must have less cross-sectional area, to provide the thermal output of expectation.Have in the embodiment of copper inner conductor 212 at one, core 218 has the diameter of 0.66cm, and ferromagnetic conductor 236 has the external diameter of 0.91cm, and inner conductor 212 has the external diameter of 1.03cm, electrical insulator 214 has the external diameter of 1.53cm, and sheath 216 has the external diameter of 1.79cm.Have in the embodiment of CuNi6 inner conductor 212 at one, core 218 has the diameter of 0.66cm, and ferromagnetic conductor 236 has the external diameter of 0.91cm, and inner conductor 212 has the external diameter of 1.12cm, electrical insulator 214 has the external diameter of 1.63cm, and sheath 216 has the external diameter of 1.88cm.With below Curie temperature and/or transition temperature range, do not use thin inner conductor to compared with the insulated electric conductor providing most of thermal output, this type of insulated electric conductor is usually less and manufacturing cost is lower.
Electrical insulator 214 can be magnesia, alumina, silica, beryllium oxide, boron nitride, silicon nitride or its combination.In certain embodiments, electrical insulator 214 is magnesian compacted powder.In certain embodiments, electrical insulator 214 comprises the bead of silicon nitride.
In certain embodiments, little material layer is placed between electrical insulator 214 and inner conductor 212 to prevent copper from migrating to electrical insulator at relatively high temperatures.Such as, little nickel dam (such as the nickel of about 0.5mm) can be placed between electrical insulator 214 and inner conductor 212.
Sheath 216 is made up of resistant material, such as but be not limited to 347 stainless steels, 347H stainless steel, 446 stainless steels or 825 stainless steels.In certain embodiments, at the Curie temperature and/or transition temperature range or more of ferromagnetic conductor 236, sheath 216 provides some mechanical strengths for insulated electric conductor 252.In certain embodiments, sheath 216 is not used for conductive electric current.
In certain embodiments, two or more heaters (such as insulated conductor heater) are spirally wound on (such as coiled tubing rig) on spool, then, are launched when being installed in when heater in the opening in subsurface formations by from spool.On spool, spiral winding heater reduces the stress on the Outboard Sections acting on stress on heater particularly heater, and otherwise it can tensible or elongation.
Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the heater 254 be spirally wound on spool 258.In certain embodiments, spool 258 is a part for coiled tubing rig.Heater 254 can be pulled on spool 258 by torq 260 tractive.When heater 254 is by by torq tractive and when being advanced on spool 258, torq 260 rotates.Due to the rotary motion of torq 260, along with heater 254 is advanced on spool 258, heater 254 is by spiral winding.In order to mounting heater 254 in the earth formation, can heater be launched from spool 258 and be installed on stratum.Spiral winding technique can use the U.S. Patent No. 4 of authorizing the people such as Langner, 843,713, the U.S. Patent No. 4 of the people such as Langner is authorized, 979,296 and authorize the U.S. Patent No. 5 of Langner, 390, described in 481, be used for the spiral flow of subsea use send the method for tube bank and/or equipment to carry out for the manufacture of with using.
Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of spiral winding three heaters 254 together.In certain embodiments, three heaters 254 are intertwined around stent helix.Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of three heaters 254 around support 262 spiral winding.In certain embodiments, one or more fixture 256 (shown in Fig. 7) is used for fixed heater 254 in helical wound configuration.Fixture 256 can be such as glass fixture, glass-coated thing or for fixed heater 254 and/or other suitable device heater being fixed to support 262.
Heater 254 can with selected pitch spiral winding in spiral winding structure.In certain embodiments, selected pitch (such as about 7%) between about 5% and 10%.In certain embodiments, change or change pitch to change the thermal output provided by spiral winding heater bundle.Change the thickness that pitch changes heater bundle, and therefore change the thermal output of bundle.In certain embodiments, the length along heater changes pitch with the length change thermal output along heater.
Spiral winding heater 254 and in spiral winding structure mounting heater, the stress on the electrical insulator of the parts such as insulated conductor heater acting on heater or sheath can be reduced.By such as reducing the stress acted on during heater thermal expansion on heater or in heater, spiral winding heater 254 can adapt to the thermal expansion of heater in well.In certain embodiments, if heater has the thickness (such as heater is the insulated electric conductor of the thickness with convergent) of convergent, the easier spiral winding of heater 254.
Should understand, the invention is not restricted to described particular system, described system can change certainly.Should also be understood that term used herein only for the object describing specific embodiment, be not intended to limit.When using in this manual, " one ", " one " and " being somebody's turn to do " of singulative comprises a plurality of involved thing, unless described content explicitly points out in addition.Thus, such as, mention the combination that " core " comprises two or more cores, mention the mixture that " a kind of material " comprises multiple material.
By means of this manual, other modification of various aspects of the present invention and alternate embodiment will be apparent for those skilled in the art.Therefore, this explanation is exemplary by being only considered as, and for instructing those skilled in the art to realize general fashion of the present invention.Should understand, form of the present invention shown and described herein should be considered as presently preferred embodiment.The element illustrated herein and describe and material replaceable, parts and technique can be put upside down, and features more of the present invention can independently use, and this is apparent for benefiting from the those skilled in the art after to explanation of the present invention.Can to change described element and without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Should be appreciated that the present invention's each feature required for protection can combine with further feature or separate.Such as, two or more feature may be combined.
Claims (17)
1., for installing a method for two or more heaters in subsurface formations, comprising:
There is provided spool, described spool comprises the helical configuration substantially of two or more heaters reeled on said reel;
Length along described heater changes the pitch of the helical configuration of described heater, changes with the length along described heater the thermal output provided by the helical configuration of described heater;
The helical configuration of heater is launched from spool; And
The helical configuration of heater is installed in the opening in subsurface formations.
2. method according to claim 1, wherein, described subsurface formations comprises hydrocarbon containing formation.
3. method according to claim 1, wherein, described heater is insulated conductor heater.
4. method according to claim 1, wherein, the helical configuration of described heater is included in the pitch between 5% and 10%.
5. method according to claim 1, also comprises and uses torq to reverse two or more heaters described.
6. method according to claim 1, is also included in when described heater is wound on spool and reverses two or more heaters described.
7. method according to claim 1, be also included in described heater be wound in spool formed substantially helical configuration time reverse two or more heaters described.
8. method according to claim 1, also comprises and the helical configuration of described heater being wound on described spool.
9., for installing a method for three heaters in subsurface formations, comprising:
There is provided spool, described spool comprises the helical configuration substantially of three heaters reeled on said reel;
Length along described heater changes the pitch of the helical configuration of described heater, changes with the length along described heater the thermal output provided by the helical configuration of described heater;
The helical configuration of heater is launched from spool; And
The helical configuration of heater is installed in the opening in subsurface formations.
10. method according to claim 9, wherein, described subsurface formations comprises hydrocarbon containing formation.
11. methods according to claim 9, wherein, described heater is insulated conductor heater.
12. methods according to claim 9, wherein, the helical configuration of described heater is included in the pitch between 5% and 10%.
13. methods according to claim 9, also comprise and use torq to reverse described three heaters.
14. methods according to claim 9, are also included in when described heater is wound on spool and reverse described three heaters.
15. methods according to claim 9, be also included in described heater be wound in spool formed substantially helical configuration time reverse described three heaters.
16. methods according to claim 9, also comprise and the helical configuration of described heater being wound on described spool.
17. 1 kinds, for installing the method for two or more heaters in subsurface formations, comprising:
There is provided spool, described spool comprises the helical configuration of two or more heaters;
Length along described heater changes the pitch of the helical configuration of described heater, changes with the length along described heater the thermal output provided by the helical configuration of described heater;
The helical configuration of heater is launched from spool; And
The helical configuration of heater is installed in subsurface formations.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US32266410P | 2010-04-09 | 2010-04-09 | |
| US61/322,664 | 2010-04-09 | ||
| PCT/US2011/031565 WO2011127272A1 (en) | 2010-04-09 | 2011-04-07 | Helical winding of insulated conductor heaters for installation |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN102844520A CN102844520A (en) | 2012-12-26 |
| CN102844520B true CN102844520B (en) | 2016-02-03 |
Family
ID=44763279
Family Applications (3)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201180018269.7A Expired - Fee Related CN102844520B (en) | 2010-04-09 | 2011-04-07 | The method of two or more heaters is installed in subsurface formations |
| CN201180018299.8A Active CN102835185B (en) | 2010-04-09 | 2011-04-07 | Insulated conductor heater and at least part of method for the formation of insulated electric conductor |
| CN201180018322.3A Active CN102884279B (en) | 2010-04-09 | 2011-04-07 | Heater for sub-surface heatedly and the method for sub-surface heatedly |
Family Applications After (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201180018299.8A Active CN102835185B (en) | 2010-04-09 | 2011-04-07 | Insulated conductor heater and at least part of method for the formation of insulated electric conductor |
| CN201180018322.3A Active CN102884279B (en) | 2010-04-09 | 2011-04-07 | Heater for sub-surface heatedly and the method for sub-surface heatedly |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (3) | EP2556210A4 (en) |
| JP (3) | JP2013524465A (en) |
| CN (3) | CN102844520B (en) |
| AU (3) | AU2011237476B2 (en) |
| CA (3) | CA2794569A1 (en) |
| RU (1) | RU2570508C2 (en) |
| WO (3) | WO2011127272A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN105257269B (en) * | 2015-10-26 | 2017-10-17 | 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 | A kind of steam drive combines oil production method with fireflood |
| EP4141215A1 (en) * | 2016-02-08 | 2023-03-01 | Proton Technologies Inc. | In-situ process to produce hydrogen from underground hydrocarbon reservoirs |
| BR112021014501A2 (en) * | 2019-01-29 | 2022-02-08 | Aarbakke Innovation As | Method for thermally insulating a power cable or other temperature sensitive equipment, and wellbore heating system |
| GB2613608B (en) * | 2021-12-08 | 2024-01-17 | Parson Timothy | A method of syngas production and a system for use in syngas production |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4979296A (en) * | 1986-07-25 | 1990-12-25 | Shell Oil Company | Method for fabricating helical flowline bundles |
| US5782301A (en) * | 1996-10-09 | 1998-07-21 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Oil well heater cable |
| CN1628207A (en) * | 2002-02-01 | 2005-06-15 | 哈利伯顿能源服务公司 | Well system |
Family Cites Families (38)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2732195A (en) * | 1956-01-24 | Ljungstrom | ||
| US1905232A (en) * | 1928-12-17 | 1933-04-25 | Wesix Nat Company | Electrical heating element and method of manufacture |
| US2634961A (en) * | 1946-01-07 | 1953-04-14 | Svensk Skifferolje Aktiebolage | Method of electrothermal production of shale oil |
| US2780450A (en) * | 1952-03-07 | 1957-02-05 | Svenska Skifferolje Ab | Method of recovering oil and gases from non-consolidated bituminous geological formations by a heating treatment in situ |
| US2789805A (en) * | 1952-05-27 | 1957-04-23 | Svenska Skifferolje Ab | Device for recovering fuel from subterraneous fuel-carrying deposits by heating in their natural location using a chain heat transfer member |
| US2923535A (en) * | 1955-02-11 | 1960-02-02 | Svenska Skifferolje Ab | Situ recovery from carbonaceous deposits |
| US3433891A (en) * | 1966-12-29 | 1969-03-18 | Gen Electric | Graded insulated cable |
| JPS4858384A (en) * | 1971-11-25 | 1973-08-16 | ||
| JPS6046791B2 (en) * | 1977-08-22 | 1985-10-17 | 株式会社東芝 | Sheathed heater for nuclear fuel simulation heating element |
| US4269638A (en) * | 1979-10-10 | 1981-05-26 | The Okonite Company | Method of manufacturing a sealed cable employing a wrapped foam barrier |
| JPS5569989A (en) * | 1979-10-29 | 1980-05-27 | Okazaki Mfg Co Ltd | Method of manufacturing electrically heated cable |
| US4532375A (en) * | 1981-10-22 | 1985-07-30 | Ricwil, Incorporated | Heating device for utilizing the skin effect of alternating current |
| JPS58121510A (en) * | 1982-01-13 | 1983-07-19 | 株式会社東芝 | Method of producing sheathed structure |
| JPS5916095U (en) * | 1982-07-20 | 1984-01-31 | 株式会社八光電機製作所 | sheath heater |
| US4886118A (en) * | 1983-03-21 | 1989-12-12 | Shell Oil Company | Conductively heating a subterranean oil shale to create permeability and subsequently produce oil |
| JPS6079692A (en) * | 1983-10-07 | 1985-05-07 | 植松 義輝 | Sheathed fine tube heater and method of producing same |
| US4843713A (en) * | 1986-07-25 | 1989-07-04 | Shell Oil Company | Apparatus for making helical flowline bundles |
| DK0382359T3 (en) * | 1989-01-28 | 1993-04-19 | City Electrical Factors Ltd | Method of making mineral insulated cable or wire and mineral insulated cable or wire made by such method |
| JPH0316693U (en) * | 1989-07-03 | 1991-02-19 | ||
| JPH04212207A (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1992-08-03 | Furukawa Electric Co Ltd:The | Olefinic resin compound for power cable, power cable using the same, and connecting part of power cable |
| TW215446B (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1993-11-01 | Furukawa Electric Co Ltd | |
| RU2164728C2 (en) * | 1999-03-09 | 2001-03-27 | Московский государственный институт стали и сплавов (технологический университет) | Non-metal high-temperature heater |
| US20020076212A1 (en) * | 2000-04-24 | 2002-06-20 | Etuan Zhang | In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation producing a mixture with oxygenated hydrocarbons |
| RU20697U1 (en) * | 2001-05-28 | 2001-11-20 | Открытое акционерное общество "Камкабель" | ELECTRIC HEATING CABLE |
| JP2002367761A (en) * | 2001-06-07 | 2002-12-20 | Ebara Densen Kk | Electromagnetic wave-restraining heater |
| NZ543753A (en) * | 2003-04-24 | 2008-11-28 | Shell Int Research | Thermal processes for subsurface formations |
| DE10325517A1 (en) * | 2003-06-05 | 2004-12-23 | Hew-Kabel/Cdt Gmbh & Co. Kg | Electric heating cable or heating tape |
| CA2563592C (en) * | 2004-04-23 | 2013-10-08 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Temperature limited heaters with thermally conductive fluid used to heat subsurface formations |
| CN101163856B (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2012-06-20 | 国际壳牌研究有限公司 | Grouped exposing metal heater |
| US7673786B2 (en) * | 2006-04-21 | 2010-03-09 | Shell Oil Company | Welding shield for coupling heaters |
| CN101427004B (en) * | 2006-04-21 | 2014-09-10 | 国际壳牌研究有限公司 | Sulfur barrier for use with in situ processes for treating formations |
| US7622677B2 (en) * | 2006-09-26 | 2009-11-24 | Accutru International Corporation | Mineral insulated metal sheathed cable connector and method of forming the connector |
| EP2074279A2 (en) * | 2006-10-20 | 2009-07-01 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Moving hydrocarbons through portions of tar sands formations with a fluid |
| US8809939B2 (en) * | 2007-03-28 | 2014-08-19 | Renesas Electronics Corporation | Semiconductor device |
| CA2684485C (en) * | 2007-04-20 | 2016-06-14 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Electrically isolating insulated conductor heater |
| RU2510601C2 (en) * | 2007-10-19 | 2014-03-27 | Шелл Интернэшнл Рисерч Маатсхаппий Б.В. | Induction heaters for heating underground formations |
| US8525033B2 (en) * | 2008-08-15 | 2013-09-03 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Stranded composite cable and method of making and using |
| JP5684268B2 (en) * | 2009-10-09 | 2015-03-11 | シエル・インターナシヨナル・リサーチ・マートスハツペイ・ベー・ヴエー | Method for evaluating the temperature of the ground surface underlayer |
-
2011
- 2011-04-07 AU AU2011237476A patent/AU2011237476B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2011-04-07 CN CN201180018269.7A patent/CN102844520B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2011-04-07 EP EP11766725.3A patent/EP2556210A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2011-04-07 CN CN201180018299.8A patent/CN102835185B/en active Active
- 2011-04-07 CA CA2794569A patent/CA2794569A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-04-07 CA CA2793627A patent/CA2793627C/en active Active
- 2011-04-07 EP EP11766713.9A patent/EP2556721A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2011-04-07 JP JP2013503946A patent/JP2013524465A/en active Pending
- 2011-04-07 CN CN201180018322.3A patent/CN102884279B/en active Active
- 2011-04-07 AU AU2011237479A patent/AU2011237479B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2011-04-07 EP EP11766724.6A patent/EP2556208A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2011-04-07 RU RU2012147630/07A patent/RU2570508C2/en active
- 2011-04-07 WO PCT/US2011/031565 patent/WO2011127272A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-04-07 CA CA2794689A patent/CA2794689A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-04-07 AU AU2011237617A patent/AU2011237617A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-04-07 WO PCT/US2011/031543 patent/WO2011127257A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-04-07 JP JP2013503949A patent/JP5868942B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2011-04-07 WO PCT/US2011/031570 patent/WO2011127275A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-04-07 JP JP2013503950A patent/JP2013524056A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4979296A (en) * | 1986-07-25 | 1990-12-25 | Shell Oil Company | Method for fabricating helical flowline bundles |
| US5782301A (en) * | 1996-10-09 | 1998-07-21 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Oil well heater cable |
| CN1628207A (en) * | 2002-02-01 | 2005-06-15 | 哈利伯顿能源服务公司 | Well system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2013524465A (en) | 2013-06-17 |
| RU2012147630A (en) | 2014-05-20 |
| EP2556210A4 (en) | 2014-07-09 |
| CN102835185A (en) | 2012-12-19 |
| CA2793627C (en) | 2019-06-11 |
| JP2013524056A (en) | 2013-06-17 |
| CN102884279A (en) | 2013-01-16 |
| CA2794569A1 (en) | 2011-10-13 |
| CN102884279B (en) | 2016-01-20 |
| WO2011127275A1 (en) | 2011-10-13 |
| JP5868942B2 (en) | 2016-02-24 |
| EP2556210A1 (en) | 2013-02-13 |
| AU2011237476A1 (en) | 2012-09-27 |
| EP2556208A4 (en) | 2014-07-02 |
| CA2793627A1 (en) | 2011-10-13 |
| CA2794689A1 (en) | 2011-10-13 |
| RU2570508C2 (en) | 2015-12-10 |
| EP2556721A1 (en) | 2013-02-13 |
| AU2011237479B2 (en) | 2015-01-29 |
| WO2011127272A1 (en) | 2011-10-13 |
| CN102844520A (en) | 2012-12-26 |
| CN102835185B (en) | 2015-11-25 |
| JP2013524055A (en) | 2013-06-17 |
| EP2556721A4 (en) | 2014-07-02 |
| AU2011237617A1 (en) | 2012-09-20 |
| WO2011127257A1 (en) | 2011-10-13 |
| EP2556208A1 (en) | 2013-02-13 |
| AU2011237479A1 (en) | 2012-09-27 |
| AU2011237476B2 (en) | 2015-01-22 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US8939207B2 (en) | Insulated conductor heaters with semiconductor layers | |
| US8967259B2 (en) | Helical winding of insulated conductor heaters for installation | |
| CA2503394C (en) | Temperature limited heaters for heating subsurface formations or wellbores | |
| CN102612640B (en) | Methods for assessing a temperature in a subsurface formation | |
| JP2007534864A (en) | Temperature limited heater used to heat underground formations | |
| CN103946476B (en) | Method for forming insulated conductor heater with final cross-sectional area | |
| CN102834586A (en) | Methods for heating with slots in hydrocarbon formations | |
| WO2013052569A1 (en) | Forming a tubular around insulated conductors and/or tubulars | |
| CN102844520B (en) | The method of two or more heaters is installed in subsurface formations | |
| US20130087551A1 (en) | Insulated conductors with dielectric screens | |
| CN102612789B (en) | For connecting the adaptive joint of insulated electric conductor |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| C06 | Publication | ||
| PB01 | Publication | ||
| C10 | Entry into substantive examination | ||
| SE01 | Entry into force of request for substantive examination | ||
| C14 | Grant of patent or utility model | ||
| GR01 | Patent grant | ||
| CF01 | Termination of patent right due to non-payment of annual fee | ||
| CF01 | Termination of patent right due to non-payment of annual fee |
Granted publication date: 20160203 Termination date: 20170407 |