Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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INSULATING BLOCKS AND METHODS FOR INSTALLATION IN INSULATED
CONDUCTOR HEATERS
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to systems and methods used for heating
subsurface
formations. More particularly, the invention relates to systems and methods
for heating
subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations.
2. Description of Related Art
[0002] Hydrocarbons obtained from subterranean formations are often used as
energy
resources, as feedstocks, and as consumer products. Concerns over depletion of
available
hydrocarbon resources and concerns over declining overall quality of produced
hydrocarbons
have led to development of processes for more efficient recovery, processing
and/or use of
available hydrocarbon resources. In situ processes may be used to remove
hydrocarbon
materials from subterranean formations that were previously inaccessible
and/or too expensive
to extract using available methods. Chemical and/or physical properties of
hydrocarbon
material in a subterranean formation may need to be changed to allow
hydrocarbon material to
be more easily removed from the subterranean formation and/or increase the
value of the
hydrocarbon material. The chemical and physical changes may include in situ
reactions that
produce removable fluids, composition changes, solubility changes, density
changes, phase
changes, and/or viscosity changes of the hydrocarbon material in the
formation.
[0003] Heaters may be placed in wellbores to heat a formation during an in
situ process.
There are many different types of heaters which may be used to heat the
formation. Examples
of in situ processes utilizing downhole heaters are illustrated in U.S. Patent
Nos. 2,634,961 to
Ljungstrom; 2,732,195 to Ljungstrom; 2,780,450 to Ljungstrom; 2,789,805 to
Ljungstrom;
2,923,535 to Ljungstrom; 4,886,118 to Van Meurs et al.; and 6.688,387 to
Wellington et al.
[0004] Mineral insulated (MI) cables (insulated conductors) for use in
subsurface
applications, such as heating hydrocarbon containing formations in some
applications, are
longer, may have larger outside diameters, and may operate at higher voltages
and
temperatures than what is typical in the MI cable industry. There are many
potential problems
during manufacture and/or assembly of long length insulated conductors.
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[0005] For example, there are potential electrical and/or mechanical problems
due to
degradation over time of the electrical insulator used in the insulated
conductor. There are
also potential problems with electrical insulators to overcome during assembly
of the insulated
conductor heater. Problems such as core bulge or other mechanical defects may
occur during
assembly of the insulated conductor heater. Such occurrences may lead to
electrical problems
during use of the heater and may potentially render the heater inoperable for
its intended
purpose.
[0006] In addition, there may be problems with increased stress on the
insulated conductors
during assembly and/or installation into the subsurface of the insulated
conductors. For
example, winding and unwinding of the insulated conductors on spools used for
transport and
installation of the insulated conductors may lead to mechanical stress on the
electrical
insulators and/or other components in the insulated conductors. Thus, more
reliable systems
and methods are needed to reduce or eliminate potential problems during
manufacture,
assembly, and/or installation of insulated conductors.
SUMMARY
[0007] Embodiments described herein generally relate to systems, methods, and
heaters for
treating a subsurface formation. Embodiments described herein also generally
relate to
heaters that have novel components therein. Such heaters can be obtained by
using the
systems and methods described herein.
[0008] In certain embodiments, the invention provides one or more systems,
methods, and/or
heaters. In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and/or heaters are used
for treating a
subsurface formation.
[0009] In certain embodiments, an insulated conductor heater includes: an
electrical
conductor configured to produce heat when an electrical current is provided to
the electrical
conductor; an electrical insulator at least partially surrounding the
electrical conductor,
wherein the electrical insulator comprises a resistivity that remains
substantially constant, or
increases, over time when the electrical conductor produces heat; and an outer
electrical
conductor at least partially surrounding the electrical insulator.
[0010] In certain embodiments, an insulated conductor heater includes: an
electrical
conductor configured to produce heat when an electrical current is provided to
the electrical
conductor; an electrical insulator at least partially surrounding the
electrical conductor,
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wherein the electrical insulator comprises one or more blocks of insulation,
and wherein the
blocks of insulation comprise a resistivity that remains substantially
constant, or increases,
over time when the electrical conductor produces heat; and an outer electrical
conductor at
least partially surrounding the electrical insulator.
[0011] In certain embodiments, a method for forming at least part of an
insulated conductor
includes: placing a first partially cylindrical portion of an insulated
conductor between at least
part of an elongated, cylindrical inner electrical conductor and at least part
of a partially
cylindrical, elongated outer electrical conductor; placing at least one
additional partially
cylindrical portion of the insulated conductor between at least part of the
inner electrical
conductor and at least part of the partially formed outer electrical
conductor, wherein the
additional portion of the insulated conductor is horizontally displaced from
the first portion of
the insulated conductor along a length of the part of the elongated outer
electrical conductor;
and moving the additional portion of the insulated conductor towards the first
portion of the
insulated conductor with a selected amount of force such that the additional
portion of the
insulated conductor and the first portion of the insulated conductor are
substantially
compressed against each other.
[0012] In further embodiments, features from specific embodiments may be
combined with
features from other embodiments. For example, features from one embodiment may
be
combined with features from any of the other embodiments.
[0013] In further embodiments, treating a subsurface formation is performed
using any of the
methods, systems, power supplies, or heaters described herein.
[0014] In further embodiments, additional features may be added to the
specific embodiments
described herein.
[0014a] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an insulated
conductor heater, comprising: an electrical conductor; an electrical
insulator, wherein the
electrical insulator comprises a resistivity that remains substantially
constant, or increases,
over time when the electrical conductor produces heat; and an outer electrical
conductor.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Features and advantages of the methods and apparatus of the present
invention will be
more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of
presently
preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the
present invention
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a portion of an in
situ heat
treatment system for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation.
[0017] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of an insulated conductor heat source.
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[0018] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of an insulated conductor heat source.
[0019] FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of an insulated conductor heat source.
[0020] FIGS. 5A and 5B depict cross-sectional representations of an embodiment
of a
temperature limited heater component used in an insulated conductor heater.
[0021] FIGS. 6-8 depict an embodiment of a block pushing device that may be
used to
provide axial force to blocks in a heater assembly.
[0022] FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of a plunger with a cross-sectional shape
that allows the
plunger to provide force on the blocks but not on the core inside the jacket.
[0023] FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of a plunger that may be used to push
offset
(staggered) blocks.
[0024] FIG. 11 depicts an embodiment of a plunger that may be used to push
top/bottom
arranged blocks.
[0025] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and
alternative forms,
specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and
will herein be
described in detail. The drawings may not be to scale. It should be understood
that the
drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the
invention to the
particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications,
equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
present invention as
defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The following description generally relates to systems and methods for
treating
hydrocarbons in the formations. Such formations may be treated to yield
hydrocarbon
products, hydrogen, and other products.
[0027] "Alternating current (AC)" refers to a time-varying current that
reverses direction
substantially sinusoidally. AC produces skin effect electricity flow in a
ferromagnetic
conductor.
[0028] In the context of reduced heat output heating systems, apparatus, and
methods, the
term "automatically" means such systems, apparatus, and methods function in a
certain way
without the use of external control (for example, external controllers such as
a controller with
a temperature sensor and a feedback loop, PID controller, or predictive
controller).
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[0029] "Coupled" means either a direct connection or an indirect connection
(for example,
one or more intervening connections) between one or more objects or
components. The
phrase "directly connected" means a direct connection between objects or
components such
that the objects or components are connected directly to each other so that
the objects or
components operate in a "point of use" manner.
[0030] "Curie temperature" is the temperature above which a ferromagnetic
material loses all
of its ferromagnetic properties. In addition to losing all of its
ferromagnetic properties above
the Curie temperature, the ferromagnetic material begins to lose its
ferromagnetic properties
when an increasing electrical current is passed through the ferromagnetic
material.
[0031] A "formation" includes one or more hydrocarbon containing layers, one
or more non-
hydrocarbon layers, an overburden, and/or an underburden. -Hydrocarbon layers"
refer to
layers in the formation that contain hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon layers may
contain non-
hydrocarbon material and hydrocarbon material. The "overburden" and/or the
"underburden"
include one or more different types of impermeable materials. For example, the
overburden
and/or underburden may include rock, shale, mudstone, or wet/tight carbonate.
In some
embodiments of in situ heat treatment processes, the overburden and/or the
underburden may
include a hydrocarbon containing layer or hydrocarbon containing layers that
are relatively
impermeable and are not subjected to temperatures during in situ heat
treatment processing
that result in significant characteristic changes of the hydrocarbon
containing layers of the
overburden and/or the underburden. For example, the underburden may contain
shale or
mudstone, but the underburden is not allowed to heat to pyrolysis temperatures
during the in
situ heat treatment process. In some cases, the overburden and/or the
underburden may be
somewhat permeable.
[0032] "Formation fluids" refer to fluids present in a formation and may
include pyrolyzation
fluid, synthesis gas, mobilized hydrocarbons, and water (steam). Formation
fluids may
include hydrocarbon fluids as well as non-hydrocarbon fluids. The term
"mobilized fluid"
refers to fluids in a hydrocarbon containing formation that are able to flow
as a result of
thermal treatment of the formation. -Produced fluids" refer to fluids removed
from the
formation.
[0033] "Heat flux" is a flow of energy per unit of area per unit of time (for
example,
Watts/meter2).
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[0034] A "heat source" is any system for providing heat to at least a portion
of a formation
substantially by conductive and/or radiative heat transfer. For example, a
heat source may
include electrically conducting materials and/or electric heaters such as an
insulated
conductor, an elongated member, and/or a conductor disposed in a conduit. A
heat source
may also include systems that generate heat by burning a fuel external to or
in a formation.
The systems may be surface burners, downhole gas burners, flameless
distributed combustors,
and natural distributed combustors. In some embodiments, heat provided to or
generated in
one or more heat sources may be supplied by other sources of energy. The other
sources of
energy may directly heat a formation, or the energy may be applied to a
transfer medium that
directly or indirectly heats the formation. It is to be understood that one or
more heat sources
that are applying heat to a formation may use different sources of energy.
Thus, for example,
for a given formation some heat sources may supply heat from electrically
conducting
materials, electric resistance heaters, some heat sources may provide heat
from combustion,
and some heat sources may provide heat from one or more other energy sources
(for example,
chemical reactions, solar energy, wind energy, biomass, or other sources of
renewable energy).
A chemical reaction may include an exothermic reaction (for example, an
oxidation reaction).
A heat source may also include a electrically conducting material and/or a
heater that provides
heat to a zone proximate and/or surrounding a heating location such as a
heater well.
[0035] A "heater" is any system or heat source for generating heat in a well
or a near wellbore
.. region. Heaters may be, but are not limited to, electric heaters, burners,
combustors that react
with material in or produced from a formation, and/or combinations thereof.
[0036] "Hydrocarbons" are generally defined as molecules formed primarily by
carbon and
hydrogen atoms. Hydrocarbons may also include other elements such as, but not
limited to,
halogens, metallic elements, nitrogen, oxygen, and/or sulfur. Hydrocarbons may
be, but are
.. not limited to, kerogen, bitumen, pyrobitumen, oils, natural mineral waxes,
and asphaltites.
Hydrocarbons may be located in or adjacent to mineral matrices in the earth.
Matrices may
include, but are not limited to, sedimentary rock, sands, silicilytes,
carbonates, diatomites, and
other porous media. -Hydrocarbon fluids" are fluids that include hydrocarbons.
Hydrocarbon
fluids may include, entrain, or be entrained in non-hydrocarbon fluids such as
hydrogen,
nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, water, and
ammonia.
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[0037] An "in situ conversion process" refers to a process of heating a
hydrocarbon containing
formation from heat sources to raise the temperature of at least a portion of
the formation
above a pyrolysis temperature so that pyrolyzation fluid is produced in the
formation.
[0038] An "in situ heat treatment process" refers to a process of heating a
hydrocarbon
containing formation with heat sources to raise the temperature of at least a
portion of the
formation above a temperature that results in mobilized fluid, visbreaking,
and/or pyrolysis of
hydrocarbon containing material so that mobilized fluids, visbroken fluids,
and/or
pyrolyzation fluids are produced in the formation.
[0039] "Insulated conductor" refers to any elongated material that is able to
conduct electricity
and that is covered, in whole or in part, by an electrically insulating
material.
[0040] "Modulated direct current (DC)" refers to any substantially non-
sinusoidal time-
varying current that produces skin effect electricity flow in a ferromagnetic
conductor.
[0041] "Nitride" refers to a compound of nitrogen and one or more other
elements of the
Periodic Table. Nitrides include, but are not limited to, silicon nitride,
boron nitride. or
alumina nitride.
[0042] "Perforations" include openings, slits, apertures, or holes in a wall
of a conduit,
tubular, pipe or other flow pathway that allow flow into or out of the
conduit, tubular, pipe or
other flow pathway.
[0043] "Phase transformation temperature" of a ferromagnetic material refers
to a temperature
or a temperature range during which the material undergoes a phase change (for
example,
from ferrite to austenite) that decreases the magnetic permeability of the
ferromagnetic
material. The reduction in magnetic permeability is similar to reduction in
magnetic
permeability due to the magnetic transition of the ferromagnetic material at
the Curie
temperature.
[0044] "Pyrolysis" is the breaking of chemical bonds due to the application of
heat. For
example, pyrolysis may include transforming a compound into one or more other
substances
by heat alone. Heat may be transferred to a section of the formation to cause
pyrolysis.
[0045] "Pyrolyzation fluids" or "pyrolysis products" refers to fluid produced
substantially
during pyrolysis of hydrocarbons. Fluid produced by pyrolysis reactions may
mix with other
fluids in a formation. The mixture would be considered pyrolyzation fluid or
pyrolyzation
product. As used herein, "pyrolysis zone" refers to a volume of a formation
(for example. a
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relatively permeable formation such as a tar sands formation) that is reacted
or reacting to
form a pyrolyzation fluid.
[0046] "Superposition of heat" refers to providing heat from two or more heat
sources to a
selected section of a formation such that the temperature of the formation at
least at one
location between the heat sources is influenced by the heat sources.
[0047] "Temperature limited heater" generally refers to a heater that
regulates heat output (for
example, reduces heat output) above a specified temperature without the use of
external
controls such as temperature controllers, power regulators, rectifiers, or
other devices.
Temperature limited heaters may be AC (alternating current) or modulated (for
example,
"chopped") DC (direct current) powered electrical resistance heaters.
[0048] "Thickness" of a layer refers to the thickness of a cross section of
the layer, wherein
the cross section is normal to a face of the layer.
[0049] "Time-varying current" refers to electrical current that produces skin
effect electricity
flow in a ferromagnetic conductor and has a magnitude that varies with time.
Time-varying
current includes both alternating current (AC) and modulated direct current
(DC).
[0050] -Turndown ratio" for the temperature limited heater in which current is
applied
directly to the heater is the ratio of the highest AC or modulated DC
resistance below the
Curie temperature to the lowest resistance above the Curie temperature for a
given current.
Turndown ratio for an inductive heater is the ratio of the highest heat output
below the Curie
temperature to the lowest heat output above the Curie temperature for a given
current applied
to the heater.
[0051] A "u-shaped wellbore" refers to a wellbore that extends from a first
opening in the
formation, through at least a portion of the formation, and out through a
second opening in the
formation. In this context, the wellbore may be only roughly in the shape of a
"v" or "u", with
the understanding that the "legs" of the "u" do not need to be parallel to
each other, or
perpendicular to the "bottom" of the "u" for the wellbore to be considered "u-
shaped".
[0052] The term "wellbore" refers to a hole in a formation made by drilling or
insertion of a
conduit into the formation. A wellbore may have a substantially circular cross
section, or
another cross-sectional shape. As used herein, the terms "well" and "opening,"
when referring
to an opening in the formation may be used interchangeably with the term
"wellbore."
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[0053] A formation may be treated in various ways to produce many different
products.
Different stages or processes may be used to treat the formation during an in
situ heat
treatment process. In some embodiments, one or more sections of the formation
are solution
mined to remove soluble minerals from the sections. Solution mining minerals
may be
performed before, during, and/or after the in situ heat treatment process. In
some
embodiments, the average temperature of one or more sections being solution
mined may be
maintained below about 120 C.
[0054] In some embodiments, one or more sections of the formation are heated
to remove
water from the sections and/or to remove methane and other volatile
hydrocarbons from the
sections. In some embodiments, the average temperature may be raised from
ambient
temperature to temperatures below about 220 C during removal of water and
volatile
hydrocarbons.
[0055] In some embodiments, one or more sections of the formation are heated
to
temperatures that allow for movement and/or visbreaking of hydrocarbons in the
formation.
In some embodiments, the average temperature of one or more sections of the
formation are
raised to mobilization temperatures of hydrocarbons in the sections (for
example, to
temperatures ranging from 100 C to 250 C, from 120 C to 240 C, or from 150
C to 230
C).
[0056] In some embodiments, one or more sections are heated to temperatures
that allow for
pyrolysis reactions in the formation. In some embodiments, the average
temperature of one or
more sections of the formation may be raised to pyrolysis temperatures of
hydrocarbons in the
sections (for example, temperatures ranging from 230 C to 900 C, from 240 C
to 400 C or
from 250 C to 350 C).
[0057] Heating the hydrocarbon containing formation with a plurality of heat
sources may
establish thermal gradients around the heat sources that raise the temperature
of hydrocarbons
in the formation to desired temperatures at desired heating rates. The rate of
temperature
increase through the mobilization temperature range and/or the pyrolysis
temperature range for
desired products may affect the quality and quantity of the formation fluids
produced from the
hydrocarbon containing formation. Slowly raising the temperature of the
formation through
the mobilization temperature range and/or pyrolysis temperature range may
allow for the
production of high quality, high API gravity hydrocarbons from the formation.
Slowly raising
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the temperature of the formation through the mobilization temperature range
and/or pyrolysis
temperature range may allow for the removal of a large amount of the
hydrocarbons present in
the formation as hydrocarbon product.
[0058] In some in situ heat treatment embodiments, a portion of the formation
is heated to a
desired temperature instead of slowly raising the temperature through a
temperature range. In
some embodiments, the desired temperature is 300 C, 325 C, or 350 C. Other
temperatures
may be selected as the desired temperature.
[0059] Superposition of heat from heat sources allows the desired temperature
to be relatively
quickly and efficiently established in the formation. Energy input into the
formation from the
heat sources may be adjusted to maintain the temperature in the formation
substantially at a
desired temperature.
[0060] Mobilization and/or pyrolysis products may be produced from the
formation through
production wells. In some embodiments, the average temperature of one or more
sections is
raised to mobilization temperatures and hydrocarbons are produced from the
production wells.
The average temperature of one or more of the sections may be raised to
pyrolysis
temperatures after production due to mobilization decreases below a selected
value. In some
embodiments, the average temperature of one or more sections may be raised to
pyrolysis
temperatures without significant production before reaching pyrolysis
temperatures.
Formation fluids including pyrolysis products may be produced through the
production wells.
[0061] In some embodiments, the average temperature of one or more sections
may be raised
to temperatures sufficient to allow synthesis gas production after
mobilization and/or
pyrolysis. In some embodiments, hydrocarbons may be raised to temperatures
sufficient to
allow synthesis gas production without significant production before reaching
the
temperatures sufficient to allow synthesis gas production. For example,
synthesis gas may be
produced in a temperature range from about 400 C to about 1200 C, about 500
C to about
1100 C, or about 550 C to about 1000 C. A synthesis gas generating fluid
(for example,
steam and/or water) may be introduced into the sections to generate synthesis
gas. Synthesis
gas may be produced from production wells.
[0062] Solution mining, removal of volatile hydrocarbons and water, mobilizing
hydrocarbons, pyrolyzing hydrocarbons, generating synthesis gas, and/or other
processes may
be performed during the in situ heat treatment process. In some embodiments,
some processes
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may be performed after the in situ heat treatment process. Such processes may
include, but
are not limited to, recovering heat from treated sections, storing fluids (for
example, water
and/or hydrocarbons) in previously treated sections, and/or sequestering
carbon dioxide in
previously treated sections.
[0063] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of an embodiment of a portion of the in
situ heat
treatment system for treating the hydrocarbon containing formation. The in
situ heat treatment
system may include barrier wells 200. Barrier wells are used to form a barrier
around a
treatment area. The barrier inhibits fluid flow into and/or out of the
treatment area. Barrier
wells include, but are not limited to, dewatering wells, vacuum wells, capture
wells. injection
wells, grout wells, freeze wells, or combinations thereof. In some
embodiments, barrier wells
200 are dewatering wells. Dewatering wells may remove liquid water and/or
inhibit liquid
water from entering a portion of the formation to be heated, or to the
formation being heated.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the barrier wells 200 are shown
extending only along
one side of heat sources 202, but the barrier wells typically encircle all
heat sources 202 used,
or to be used, to heat a treatment area of the formation.
[0064] Heat sources 202 are placed in at least a portion of the formation.
Heat sources 202
may include heaters such as insulated conductors, conductor-in-conduit
heaters, surface
burners, flameless distributed combustors, and/or natural distributed
combustors. Heat
sources 202 may also include other types of heaters. Heat sources 202 provide
heat to at least
.. a portion of the formation to heat hydrocarbons in the formation. Energy
may be supplied to
heat sources 202 through supply lines 204. Supply lines 204 may be
structurally different
depending on the type of heat source or heat sources used to heat the
formation. Supply lines
204 for heat sources may transmit electricity for electric heaters, may
transport fuel for
combustors, or may transport heat exchange fluid that is circulated in the
formation. In some
embodiments, electricity for an in situ heat treatment process may be provided
by a nuclear
power plant or nuclear power plants. The use of nuclear power may allow for
reduction or
elimination of carbon dioxide emissions from the in situ heat treatment
process.
[0065] When the formation is heated, the heat input into the formation may
cause expansion
of the formation and geomechanical motion. The heat sources may be turned on
before, at the
same time, or during a dewatering process. Computer simulations may model
formation
response to heating. The computer simulations may be used to develop a pattern
and time
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sequence for activating heat sources in the formation so that geomechanical
motion of the
formation does not adversely affect the functionality of heat sources,
production wells, and
other equipment in the formation.
[0066] Heating the formation may cause an increase in permeability and/or
porosity of the
formation. Increases in permeability and/or porosity may result from a
reduction of mass in
the formation due to vaporization and removal of water, removal of
hydrocarbons, and/or
creation of fractures. Fluid may flow more easily in the heated portion of the
formation
because of the increased permeability and/or porosity of the formation. Fluid
in the heated
portion of the formation may move a considerable distance through the
formation because of
the increased permeability and/or porosity. The considerable distance may be
over 1000 m
depending on various factors, such as permeability of the formation,
properties of the fluid,
temperature of the formation, and pressure gradient allowing movement of the
fluid. The
ability of fluid to travel considerable distance in the formation allows
production wells 206 to
be spaced relatively far apart in the formation.
[0067] Production wells 206 are used to remove formation fluid from the
formation. In some
embodiments, production well 206 includes a heat source. The heat source in
the production
well may heat one or more portions of the formation at or near the production
well. In some
in situ heat treatment process embodiments, the amount of heat supplied to the
formation from
the production well per meter of the production well is less than the amount
of heat applied to
the formation from a heat source that heats the formation per meter of the
heat source. Heat
applied to the formation from the production well may increase formation
permeability
adjacent to the production well by vaporizing and removing liquid phase fluid
adjacent to the
production well and/or by increasing the permeability of the formation
adjacent to the
production well by formation of macro and/or micro fractures.
[0068] More than one heat source may be positioned in the production well. A
heat source in
a lower portion of the production well may be turned off when superposition of
heat from
adjacent heat sources heats the formation sufficiently to counteract benefits
provided by
heating the formation with the production well. In some embodiments, the heat
source in an
upper portion of the production well may remain on after the heat source in
the lower portion
of the production well is deactivated. The heat source in the upper portion of
the well may
inhibit condensation and reflux of formation fluid.
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[0069] In some embodiments, the heat source in production well 206 allows for
vapor phase
removal of formation fluids from the formation. Providing heating at or
through the
production well may: (1) inhibit condensation and/or refluxing of production
fluid when such
production fluid is moving in the production well proximate the overburden,
(2) increase heat
input into the formation, (3) increase production rate from the production
well as compared to
a production well without a heat source, (4) inhibit condensation of high
carbon number
compounds (C6 hydrocarbons and above) in the production well, and/or (5)
increase
formation permeability at or proximate the production well.
[0070] Subsurface pressure in the formation may correspond to the fluid
pressure generated in
the formation. As temperatures in the heated portion of the formation
increase, the pressure in
the heated portion may increase as a result of thermal expansion of in situ
fluids, increased
fluid generation and vaporization of water. Controlling rate of fluid removal
from the
formation may allow for control of pressure in the formation. Pressure in the
formation may
be determined at a number of different locations, such as near or at
production wells, near or
at heat sources, or at monitor wells.
[0071] In some hydrocarbon containing formations, production of hydrocarbons
from the
formation is inhibited until at least some hydrocarbons in the formation have
been mobilized
and/or pyrolyzed. Formation fluid may be produced from the formation when the
formation
fluid is of a selected quality. In some embodiments, the selected quality
includes an API
gravity of at least about 20 , 30 , or 40 . Inhibiting production until at
least some
hydrocarbons are mobilized and/or pyrolyzed may increase conversion of heavy
hydrocarbons
to light hydrocarbons. Inhibiting initial production may minimize the
production of heavy
hydrocarbons from the formation. Production of substantial amounts of heavy
hydrocarbons
may require expensive equipment and/or reduce the life of production
equipment.
[0072] In some hydrocarbon containing formations, hydrocarbons in the
formation may be
heated to mobilization and/or pyrolysis temperatures before substantial
permeability has been
generated in the heated portion of the formation. An initial lack of
permeability may inhibit
the transport of generated fluids to production wells 206. During initial
heating, fluid pressure
in the formation may increase proximate heat sources 202. The increased fluid
pressure may
be released, monitored, altered, and/or controlled through one or more heat
sources 202. For
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example, selected heat sources 202or separate pressure relief wells may
include pressure relief
valves that allow for removal of some fluid from the formation.
[0073] In some embodiments, pressure generated by expansion of mobilized
fluids, pyrolysis
fluids or other fluids generated in the formation may be allowed to increase
although an open
path to production wells 206 or any other pressure sink may not yet exist in
the formation.
The fluid pressure may be allowed to increase towards a lithostatic pressure.
Fractures in the
hydrocarbon containing formation may form when the fluid approaches the
lithostatic
pressure. For example, fractures may form from heat sources 202to production
wells 206 in
the heated portion of the formation. The generation of fractures in the heated
portion may
relieve some of the pressure in the portion. Pressure in the formation may
have to be
maintained below a selected pressure to inhibit unwanted production,
fracturing of the
overburden or underburden, and/or coking of hydrocarbons in the formation.
[0074] After mobilization and/or pyrolysis temperatures are reached and
production from the
formation is allowed, pressure in the formation may be varied to alter and/or
control a
composition of formation fluid produced, to control a percentage of
condensable fluid as
compared to non-condensable fluid in the formation fluid, and/or to control an
API gravity of
formation fluid being produced. For example, decreasing pressure may result in
production of
a larger condensable fluid component. The condensable fluid component may
contain a larger
percentage of olefins.
[0075] In some in situ heat treatment process embodiments, pressure in the
formation may be
maintained high enough to promote production of formation fluid with an API
gravity of
greater than 20 . Maintaining increased pressure in the formation may inhibit
formation
subsidence during in situ heat treatment. Maintaining increased pressure may
reduce or
eliminate the need to compress formation fluids at the surface to transport
the fluids in
collection conduits to treatment facilities.
[0076] Maintaining increased pressure in a heated portion of the formation may
surprisingly
allow for production of large quantities of hydrocarbons of increased quality
and of relatively
low molecular weight. Pressure may be maintained so that formation fluid
produced has a
minimal amount of compounds above a selected carbon number. The selected
carbon number
may be at most 25, at most 20, at most 12, or at most 8. Some high carbon
number
compounds may be entrained in vapor in the formation and may be removed from
the
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formation with the vapor. Maintaining increased pressure in the formation may
inhibit
entrainment of high carbon number compounds and/or multi-ring hydrocarbon
compounds in
the vapor. High carbon number compounds and/or multi-ring hydrocarbon
compounds may
remain in a liquid phase in the formation for significant time periods. The
significant time
periods may provide sufficient time for the compounds to pyrolyze to form
lower carbon
number compounds.
[0077] Generation of relatively low molecular weight hydrocarbons is believed
to be due, in
part, to autogenous generation and reaction of hydrogen in a portion of the
hydrocarbon
containing formation. For example, maintaining an increased pressure may force
hydrogen
generated during pyrolysis into the liquid phase within the formation. Heating
the portion to a
temperature in a pyrolysis temperature range may pyrolyze hydrocarbons in the
formation to
generate liquid phase pyrolyzation fluids. The generated liquid phase
pyrolyzation fluids
components may include double bonds and/or radicals. Hydrogen (H2) in the
liquid phase
may reduce double bonds of the generated pyrolyzation fluids, thereby reducing
a potential for
polymerization or formation of long chain compounds from the generated
pyrolyzation fluids.
In addition, H2 may also neutralize radicals in the generated pyrolyzation
fluids. H2 in the
liquid phase may inhibit the generated pyrolyzation fluids from reacting with
each other
and/or with other compounds in the formation.
[0078] Formation fluid produced from production wells 206 may be transported
through
collection piping 208 to treatment facilities 210. Formation fluids may also
be produced from
heat sources 202. For example, fluid may be produced from heat sources 202 to
control
pressure in the formation adjacent to the heat sources. Fluid produced from
heat sources 202
may be transported through tubing or piping to collection piping 208 or the
produced fluid
may be transported through tubing or piping directly to treatment facilities
210. Treatment
facilities 210 may include separation units, reaction units, upgrading units,
fuel cells, turbines,
storage vessels, and/or other systems and units for processing produced
formation fluids. The
treatment facilities may form transportation fuel from at least a portion of
the hydrocarbons
produced from the formation. In some embodiments, the transportation fuel may
be jet fuel,
such as JP-8.
[0079] An insulated conductor may be used as an electric heater element of a
heater or a heat
source. The insulated conductor may include an inner electrical conductor
(core) surrounded
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by an electrical insulator and an outer electrical conductor (jacket). The
electrical insulator
may include mineral insulation (for example, magnesium oxide) or other
electrical insulation.
[0080] In certain embodiments, the insulated conductor is placed in an opening
in a
hydrocarbon containing formation. In some embodiments, the insulated conductor
is placed in
an uncased opening in the hydrocarbon containing formation. Placing the
insulated conductor
in an uncased opening in the hydrocarbon containing formation may allow heat
transfer from
the insulated conductor to the formation by radiation as well as conduction.
Using an uncased
opening may facilitate retrieval of the insulated conductor from the well, if
necessary.
[0081] In some embodiments, an insulated conductor is placed within a casing
in the
formation; may be cemented within the formation; or may be packed in an
opening with sand,
gravel, or other fill material. The insulated conductor may be supported on a
support member
positioned within the opening. The support member may be a cable, rod, or a
conduit (for
example, a pipe). The support member may be made of a metal, ceramic,
inorganic material,
or combinations thereof. Because portions of a support member may be exposed
to formation
fluids and heat during use, the support member may be chemically resistant
and/or thermally
resistant.
[0082] Ties, spot welds, and/or other types of connectors may be used to
couple the insulated
conductor to the support member at various locations along a length of the
insulated
conductor. The support member may be attached to a wellhead at an upper
surface of the
formation. In some embodiments, the insulated conductor has sufficient
structural strength
such that a support member is not needed. The insulated conductor may, in many
instances,
have at least some flexibility to inhibit thermal expansion damage when
undergoing
temperature changes.
[0083] In certain embodiments, insulated conductors are placed in wellbores
without support
members and/or centralizers. An insulated conductor without support members
and/or
centralizers may have a suitable combination of temperature and corrosion
resistance, creep
strength, length, thickness (diameter), and metallurgy that will inhibit
failure of the insulated
conductor during use.
[0084] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an end portion of an embodiment of
insulated
conductor 252. Insulated conductor 252 may have any desired cross-sectional
shape such as,
but not limited to, round (depicted in FIG. 2), triangular, ellipsoidal,
rectangular, hexagonal, or
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irregular. In certain embodiments, insulated conductor 252 includes core 218,
electrical
insulator 214, and jacket 216. Core 218 may resistively heat when an
electrical current passes
through the core. Alternating or time-varying current and/or direct current
may be used to
provide power to core 218 such that the core resistively heats.
[0085] In some embodiments, electrical insulator 214 inhibits current leakage
and arcing to
jacket 216. Electrical insulator 214 may thermally conduct heat generated in
core 218 to
jacket 216. Jacket 216 may radiate or conduct heat to the formation. In
certain embodiments,
insulated conductor 252 is 1000 m or more in length. Longer or shorter
insulated conductors
may also be used to meet specific application needs. The dimensions of core
218, electrical
insulator 214, and jacket 216 of insulated conductor 252 may be selected such
that the
insulated conductor has enough strength to be self supporting even at upper
working
temperature limits. Such insulated conductors may be suspended from wellheads
or supports
positioned near an interface between an overburden and a hydrocarbon
containing formation
without the need for support members extending into the hydrocarbon containing
formation
along with the insulated conductors.
[0086] Insulated conductor 252 may be designed to operate at power levels of
up to about
1650 watts/meter or higher. In certain embodiments, insulated conductor 252
operates at a
power level between about 300 watts/meter and about 1150 watts/meter when
heating a
formation. Insulated conductor 252 may be designed so that a maximum voltage
level at a
typical operating temperature does not cause substantial thermal and/or
electrical breakdown
of electrical insulator 214. Insulated conductor 252 may be designed such that
jacket 216 does
not exceed a temperature that will result in a significant reduction in
corrosion resistance
properties of the jacket material. In certain embodiments, insulated conductor
252 may be
designed to reach temperatures within a range between about 650 C and about
900 C.
Insulated conductors having other operating ranges may be formed to meet
specific
operational requirements.
[0087] FIG. 2 depicts insulated conductor 252 having a single core 218. In
some
embodiments, insulated conductor 252 has two or more cores 218. For example, a
single
insulated conductor may have three cores. Core 218 may be made of metal or
another
electrically conductive material. The material used to form core 218 may
include, but not be
limited to, nichrome, copper, nickel, carbon steel, stainless steel, and
combinations thereof. In
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certain embodiments. core 218 is chosen to have a diameter and a resistivity
at operating
temperatures such that its resistance, as derived from Ohm's law, makes it
electrically and
structurally stable for the chosen power dissipation per meter, the length of
the heater, and/or
the maximum voltage allowed for the core material.
[0088] In some embodiments, core 218 is made of different materials along a
length of
insulated conductor 252. For example, a first section of core 218 may be made
of a material
that has a significantly lower resistance than a second section of the core.
The first section
may be placed adjacent to a formation layer that does not need to be heated to
as high a
temperature as a second formation layer that is adjacent to the second
section. The resistivity
of various sections of core 218 may be adjusted by having a variable diameter
and/or by
having core sections made of different materials.
[0089] Electrical insulator 214 may be made of a variety of materials.
Commonly used
powders may include, but are not limited to, MgO, A1203, Zirconia, Be0,
different chemical
variations of Spinels, and combinations thereof. MgO may provide good thermal
conductivity
and electrical insulation properties. The desired electrical insulation
properties include low
leakage current and high dielectric strength. A low leakage current decreases
the possibility of
thermal breakdown and the high dielectric strength decreases the possibility
of arcing across
the insulator. Thermal breakdown can occur if the leakage current causes a
progressive rise in
the temperature of the insulator leading also to arcing across the insulator.
[0090] Jacket 216 may be an outer metallic layer or electrically conductive
layer. Jacket 216
may be in contact with hot formation fluids. Jacket 216 may be made of
material having a
high resistance to corrosion at elevated temperatures. Alloys that may be used
in a desired
operating temperature range of jacket 216 include, but are not limited to, 304
stainless steel,
310 stainless steel, Incoloy0 800, and Inconel() 600 (Inco Alloys
International, Huntington,
West Virginia, U.S.A.). The thickness of jacket 216 may have to be sufficient
to last for three
to ten years in a hot and corrosive environment. A thickness of jacket 216 may
generally vary
between about 1 mm and about 3.5 mm. For example, a 1.3 mm thick, 310
stainless steel
outer layer may be used as jacket 216 to provide good chemical resistance to
sulfidation
corrosion in a heated zone of a formation for a period of over 3 years. Larger
or smaller jacket
thicknesses may be used to meet specific application requirements.
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[0091] One or more insulated conductors may be placed within an opening in a
formation to
form a heat source or heat sources. Electrical cun-ent may be passed through
each insulated
conductor in the opening to heat the formation. Alternately, electrical
current may be passed
through selected insulated conductors in an opening. The unused conductors may
be used as
.. backup heaters. Insulated conductors may be electrically coupled to a power
source in any
convenient manner. Each end of an insulated conductor may be coupled to lead-
in cables that
pass through a wellhead. Such a configuration typically has a 180 bend (a
"hairpin" bend) or
turn located near a bottom of the heat source. An insulated conductor that
includes a 180
bend or turn may not require a bottom termination, but the 180 bend or turn
may be an
.. electrical and/or structural weakness in the heater. Insulated conductors
may be electrically
coupled together in series, in parallel, or in series and parallel
combinations. In some
embodiments of heat sources, electrical current may pass into the conductor of
an insulated
conductor and may be returned through the jacket of the insulated conductor by
connecting
core 218 to jacket 216 (shown in FIG. 2) at the bottom of the heat source.
.. [0092] In some embodiments, three insulated conductors 252 are electrically
coupled in a 3-
phase wye configuration to a power supply. FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of
three insulated
conductors in an opening in a subsurface formation coupled in a wye
configuration. FIG. 4
depicts an embodiment of three insulated conductors 252 that are removable
from opening
238 in the formation. No bottom connection may be required for three insulated
conductors in
.. a wye configuration. Alternately, all three insulated conductors of the wye
configuration may
be connected together near the bottom of the opening. The connection may be
made directly
at ends of heating sections of the insulated conductors or at ends of cold
pins (less resistive
sections) coupled to the heating sections at the bottom of the insulated
conductors. The
bottom connections may be made with insulator filled and sealed canisters or
with epoxy filled
canisters. The insulator may be the same composition as the insulator used as
the electrical
insulation.
[0093] Three insulated conductors 252 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be coupled
to support
member 220 using centralizers 222. Alternatively, insulated conductors 252 may
be strapped
directly to support member 220 using metal straps. Centralizers 222 may
maintain a location
and/or inhibit movement of insulated conductors 252 on support member 220.
Centralizers
222 may be made of metal, ceramic, or combinations thereof. The metal may be
stainless
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steel or any other type of metal able to withstand a corrosive and high
temperature
environment. In some embodiments, centralizers 222 are bowed metal strips
welded to the
support member at distances less than about 6 m. A ceramic used in centralizer
222 may be,
but is not limited to, A1203. MgO, or another electrical insulator.
Centralizers 222 may
maintain a location of insulated conductors 252 on support member 220 such
that movement
of insulated conductors is inhibited at operating temperatures of the
insulated conductors.
Insulated conductors 252 may also be somewhat flexible to withstand expansion
of support
member 220 during heating.
[0094] Support member 220, insulated conductor 252, and centralizers 222 may
be placed in
opening 238 in hydrocarbon layer 240. Insulated conductors 252 may be coupled
to bottom
conductor junction 224 using cold pin 226. Bottom conductor junction 224 may
electrically
couple each insulated conductor 252 to each other. Bottom conductor junction
224 may
include materials that are electrically conducting and do not melt at
temperatures found in
opening 238. Cold pin 226 may be an insulated conductor having lower
electrical resistance
than insulated conductor 252.
[0095] Lead-in conductor 228 may be coupled to wellhead 242 to provide
electrical power to
insulated conductor 252. Lead-in conductor 228 may be made of a relatively low
electrical
resistance conductor such that relatively little heat is generated from
electrical current passing
through the lead-in conductor. In some embodiments, the lead-in conductor is a
rubber or
polymer insulated stranded copper wire. In some embodiments, the lead-in
conductor is a
mineral insulated conductor with a copper core. Lead-in conductor 228 may
couple to
wellhead 242 at surface 250 through a sealing flange located between
overburden 246 and
surface 250. The sealing flange may inhibit fluid from escaping from opening
238 to surface
250.
[0096] In certain embodiments, lead-in conductor 228 is coupled to insulated
conductor 252
using transition conductor 230. Transition conductor 230 may be a less
resistive portion of
insulated conductor 252. Transition conductor 230 may be referred to as "cold
pin" of
insulated conductor 252. Transition conductor 230 may be designed to dissipate
about one-
tenth to about one-fifth of the power per unit length as is dissipated in a
unit length of the
primary heating section of insulated conductor 252. Transition conductor 230
may typically
be between about 1.5 m and about 15 m, although shorter or longer lengths may
be used to
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accommodate specific application needs. In an embodiment, the conductor of
transition
conductor 230 is copper. The electrical insulator of transition conductor 230
may be the same
type of electrical insulator used in the primary heating section. A jacket of
transition
conductor 230 may be made of corrosion resistant material.
[0097] In certain embodiments, transition conductor 230 is coupled to lead-in
conductor 228
by a splice or other coupling joint. Splices may also be used to couple
transition conductor
230 to insulated conductor 252. Splices may have to withstand temperatures
approaching that
of a target zone operating temperature (for example, a temperature equal to or
half of a target
zone operating temperature), depending on the number of conductors in the
opening and
whether the splices are saggered. Density of electrical insulation in the
splice should in many
instances be high enough to withstand the required temperature and the
operating voltage.
[0098] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, packing material 248 is placed
between
overburden casing 244 and opening 238. In some embodiments, reinforcing
material 232 may
secure overburden casing 244 to overburden 246. Packing material 248 may
inhibit fluid from
flowing from opening 238 to surface 250. Reinforcing material 232 may include,
for example,
Class G or Class H Portland cement mixed with silica flour for improved high
temperature
performance, slag or silica flour, and/or a mixture thereof. In some
embodiments, reinforcing
material 232 extends radially a width of from about 5 cm to about 25 cm.
[0099] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, support member 220 and lead-in conductor 228
may be
coupled to wellhead 242 at surface 250 of the formation. Surface conductor 234
may enclose
reinforcing material 232 and couple to wellhead 242. Embodiments of surface
conductors
may extend to depths of approximately 3m to approximately 515 m into an
opening in the
formation. Alternatively, the surface conductor may extend to a depth of
approximately 9 m
into the formation. Electrical current may be supplied from a power source to
insulated
conductor 252 to generate heat due to the electrical resistance of the
insulated conductor. Heat
generated from three insulated conductors 252 may transfer within opening 238
to heat at least
a portion of hydrocarbon layer 240.
[0100] Heat generated by insulated conductors 252 may heat at least a portion
of a
hydrocarbon containing formation. In some embodiments, heat is transferred to
the fonnation
substantially by radiation of the generated heat to the formation. Some heat
may be
transferred by conduction or convection of heat due to gases present in the
opening. The
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opening may be an uncased opening, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. An uncased
opening
eliminates cost associated with thermally cementing the heater to the
formation, costs
associated with a casing, and/or costs of packing a heater within an opening.
In addition, heat
transfer by radiation is typically more efficient than by conduction, so the
heaters may be
operated at lower temperatures in an open wellbore. Conductive heat transfer
during initial
operation of a heat source may be enhanced by the addition of a gas in the
opening. The gas
may be maintained at a pressure up to about 27 bars absolute. The gas may
include, but is not
limited to, carbon dioxide and/or helium. An insulated conductor heater in an
open wellbore
may advantageously be free to expand or contract to accommodate thermal
expansion and
contraction. An insulated conductor heater may advantageously be removable or
redeployable
from an open wellbore.
[0101] In certain embodiments, an insulated conductor heater assembly is
installed or
removed using a spooling assembly. More than one spooling assembly may be used
to install
both the insulated conductor and a support member simultaneously.
Alternatively, the support
member may be installed using a coiled tubing unit. The heaters may be un-
spooled and
connected to the support as the support is inserted into the well. The
electric heater and the
support member may be un-spooled from the spooling assemblies. Spacers may be
coupled to
the support member and the heater along a length of the support member.
Additional spooling
assemblies may be used for additional electric heater elements.
[0102] Temperature limited heaters may be in configurations and/or may include
materials
that provide automatic temperature limiting properties for the heater at
certain temperatures.
In certain embodiments, ferromagnetic materials are used in temperature
limited heaters.
Ferromagnetic material may self-limit temperature at or near the Curie
temperature of the
material and/or the phase transformation temperature range to provide a
reduced amount of
.. heat when a time-varying current is applied to the material. In certain
embodiments, the
ferromagnetic material self-limits temperature of the temperature limited
heater at a selected
temperature that is approximately the Curie temperature and/or in the phase
transformation
temperature range. In certain embodiments, the selected temperature is within
about 35 C,
within about 25 C, within about 20 C, or within about 10 C of the Curie
temperature and/or
the phase transformation temperature range. In certain embodiments,
ferromagnetic materials
are coupled with other materials (for example, highly conductive materials,
high strength
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materials, corrosion resistant materials, or combinations thereof) to provide
various electrical
and/or mechanical properties. Some parts of the temperature limited heater may
have a lower
resistance (caused by different geometries and/or by using different
ferromagnetic and/or non-
ferromagnetic materials) than other parts of the temperature limited heater.
Having parts of
the temperature limited heater with various materials and/or dimensions allows
for tailoring
the desired heat output from each part of the heater.
[0103] Temperature limited heaters may be more reliable than other heaters.
Temperature
limited heaters may be less apt to break down or fail due to hot spots in the
formation. In
some embodiments, temperature limited heaters allow for substantially uniform
heating of the
formation. In some embodiments, temperature limited heaters are able to heat
the formation
more efficiently by operating at a higher average heat output along the entire
length of the
heater. The temperature limited heater operates at the higher average heat
output along the
entire length of the heater because power to the heater does not have to be
reduced to the
entire heater, as is the case with typical constant wattage heaters, if a
temperature along any
point of the heater exceeds, or is about to exceed, a maximum operating
temperature of the
heater. Heat output from portions of a temperature limited heater approaching
a Curie
temperature and/or the phase transformation temperature range of the heater
automatically
reduces without controlled adjustment of the time-varying current applied to
the heater. The
heat output automatically reduces due to changes in electrical properties (for
example,
electrical resistance) of portions of the temperature limited heater. Thus,
more power is
supplied by the temperature limited heater during a greater portion of a
heating process.
[0104] In certain embodiments, the system including temperature limited
heaters initially
provides a first heat output and then provides a reduced (second heat output)
heat output, near,
at, or above the Curie temperature and/or the phase transformation temperature
range of an
electrically resistive portion of the heater when the temperature limited
heater is energized by
a time-varying current. The first heat output is the heat output at
temperatures below which
the temperature limited heater begins to self-limit. In some embodiments, the
first heat output
is the heat output at a temperature about 50 C, about 75 C, about 100 C, or
about 125 C
below the Curie temperature and/or the phase transformation temperature range
of the
ferromagnetic material in the temperature limited heater.
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[0105] The temperature limited heater may be energized by time-varying current
(alternating
cun-ent or modulated direct current) supplied at the wellhead. The wellhead
may include a
power source and other components (for example, modulation components,
transformers,
and/or capacitors) used in supplying power to the temperature limited heater.
The temperature
limited heater may be one of many heaters used to heat a portion of the
formation.
[0106] In some embodiments, a relatively thin conductive layer is used to
provide the majority
of the electrically resistive heat output of the temperature limited heater at
temperatures up to
a temperature at or near the Curie temperature and/or the phase transformation
temperature
range of the ferromagnetic conductor. Such a temperature limited heater may be
used as the
heating member in an insulated conductor heater. The heating member of the
insulated
conductor heater may be located inside a sheath with an insulation layer
between the sheath
and the heating member.
[0107] FIGS. 5A and 5B depict cross-sectional representations of an embodiment
of the
insulated conductor heater with the temperature limited heater as the heating
member.
Insulated conductor 252 includes core 218, ferromagnetic conductor 236, inner
conductor 212,
electrical insulator 214, and jacket 216. Core 218 is a copper core.
Ferromagnetic conductor
236 is, for example, iron or an iron alloy.
[0108] Inner conductor 212 is a relatively thin conductive layer of non-
ferromagnetic material
with a higher electrical conductivity than ferromagnetic conductor 236. In
certain
embodiments, inner conductor 212 is copper. Inner conductor 212 may be a
copper alloy.
Copper alloys typically have a flatter resistance versus temperature profile
than pure copper.
A flatter resistance versus temperature profile may provide less variation in
the heat output as
a function of temperature up to the Curie temperature and/or the phase
transformation
temperature range. In some embodiments, inner conductor 212 is copper with 6%
by weight
nickel (for example, CuNi6 or LOHMTm). In some embodiments, inner conductor
212 is
CuNi10Fe1Mn alloy. Below the Curie temperature and/or the phase transformation
temperature range of ferromagnetic conductor 236, the magnetic properties of
the
ferromagnetic conductor confine the majority of the flow of electrical current
to inner
conductor 212. Thus, inner conductor 212 provides the majority of the
resistive heat output of
insulated conductor 252 below the Curie temperature and/or the phase
transformation
temperature range.
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[0109] In certain embodiments, inner conductor 212 is dimensioned, along with
core 218 and
ferromagnetic conductor 236, so that the inner conductor provides a desired
amount of heat
output and a desired turndown ratio. For example, inner conductor 212 may have
a cross-
sectional area that is around 2 or 3 times less than the cross-sectional area
of core 218.
Typically, inner conductor 212 has to have a relatively small cross-sectional
area to provide a
desired heat output if the inner conductor is copper or copper alloy. In an
embodiment with
copper inner conductor 212, core 218 has a diameter of 0.66 cm, ferromagnetic
conductor 236
has an outside diameter of 0.91 cm, inner conductor 212 has an outside
diameter of 1.03 cm,
electrical insulator 214 has an outside diameter of 1.53 cm, and jacket 216
has an outside
diameter of 1.79 cm. In an embodiment with a CuNi6 inner conductor 212, core
218 has a
diameter of 0.66 cm, ferromagnetic conductor 236 has an outside diameter of
0.91 cm, inner
conductor 212 has an outside diameter of 1.12 cm, electrical insulator 214 has
an outside
diameter of 1.63 cm, and jacket 216 has an outside diameter of 1.88 cm. Such
insulated
conductors are typically smaller and cheaper to manufacture than insulated
conductors that do
not use the thin inner conductor to provide the majority of heat output below
the Curie
temperature and/or the phase transformation temperature range.
[0110] Electrical insulator 214 may be magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide,
silicon dioxide,
beryllium oxide, boron nitride, silicon nitride, or combinations thereof. In
certain
embodiments, electrical insulator 214 is a compacted powder of magnesium
oxide. In some
embodiments, electrical insulator 214 includes beads of silicon nitride.
[0111] In certain embodiments, a small layer of material is placed between
electrical insulator
214 and inner conductor 212 to inhibit copper from migrating into the
electrical insulator at
higher temperatures. For example, a small layer of nickel (for example, about
0.5 mm of
nickel) may be placed between electrical insulator 214 and inner conductor
212.
[0112] Jacket 216 is made of a corrosion resistant material such as, but not
limited to, 347
stainless steel, 347H stainless steel, 446 stainless steel, or 825 stainless
steel. In some
embodiments, jacket 216 provides some mechanical strength for insulated
conductor 252 at or
above the Curie temperature and/or the phase transformation temperature range
of
ferromagnetic conductor 236. In certain embodiments, jacket 216 is not used to
conduct
electrical current.
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[0113] There are many potential problems in making insulated conductors in
relatively long
lengths (for example, lengths of 10 m or longer). For example, gaps may exist
between blocks
of material used to form the electrical insulator in the insulated conductor.
These gaps may
lead to bulges or mechanical defects in the core or other components of the
insulated
conductor. Insulated conductors include insulated conductor used as heaters
and/or insulated
conductors used in the overburden section of the formation (insulated
conductors that provide
little or no heat output). Insulated conductors may be, for example, mineral
insulated
conductors such as mineral insulated cables.
[0114] In a typical process used to make (form) an insulated conductor, the
jacket of the
.. insulated conductor starts as a strip of electrically conducting material
(for example, stainless
steel). The jacket strip is formed (longitudinally rolled) into a partial
cylindrical shape and
electrical insulator blocks (for example, magnesium oxide blocks) are inserted
into the
partially cylindrical jacket. The inserted blocks may be partial cylinder
blocks such as half-
cylinder blocks. Following insertion of the blocks, the longitudinal core,
which is typically a
solid cylinder, is placed in the partial cylinder and inside the half-cylinder
blocks. The core is
made of electrically conducting material such as copper, nickel, and/or steel.
[0115] Once the electrical insulator blocks and the core are in place, the
portion of the jacket
containing the blocks and the core may be formed into a complete cylinder
around the blocks
and the core. The longitudinal edges of the jacket that close the cylinder may
be welded to
.. form an insulated conductor assembly with the core and electrical insulator
blocks inside the
jacket. The process of inserting the blocks and closing the jacket cylinder
may be repeated
along a length of jacket to form the insulated conductor assembly in a desired
length.
[0116] As the insulated conductor assembly is formed, further steps may be
taken to reduce
gaps in the assembly. For example, the insulated conductor assembly may be
moved through
a progressive reduction system to reduce gaps in the assembly. One example of
a progressive
reduction system is a roller system. In the roller system, the insulated
conductor assembly
may progress through multiple horizontal and vertical rollers with the
assembly alternating
between horizontal and vertical rollers. The rollers may progressively reduce
the size of the
insulated conductor assembly into the final, desired outside diameter.
[0117] If the electrical insulator blocks are allowed to freely sit in the
jacket during the
insulated conductor assembly reduction process, one or more of the blocks may
have gaps
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between them that allow problems such as core bulge or other mechanical
defects to occur in
the reduced insulated conductor assembly. Such occurrences may lead to
electrical problems
during use of the insulated conductor assembly and may potentially render the
assembly
inoperable for its intended purpose. Thus, a reliable method is needed to
ensure that gaps
between the electrical insulator blocks are reduced or eliminated during the
insulated
conductor assembly reduction process.
[0118] In certain embodiments, an axial force is placed on the blocks inside
the insulated
conductor assembly to minimize gaps between the blocks. For example, as one or
more
blocks are inserted in the insulated conductor assembly, the inserted blocks
may be pushed
(either mechanically or pneumatically) axially along the assembly against
blocks already in the
assembly. Pushing the inserted blocks against the blocks already in the
insulated conductor
assembly with a sufficient force minimizes gaps between blocks by providing
and maintaining
a force between blocks along the length of the assembly as the assembly is
moved through the
assembly reduction process.
[0119] FIGS. 6-8 depict one embodiment of block pushing device 254 that may be
used to
provide axial force to blocks in the insulated conductor assembly. In certain
embodiments, as
shown in fig. 6, device 254 includes insulated conductor holder 256, plunger
guide 258, and
air cylinders 260. Device 254 may be located in an assembly line used to make
insulated
conductor assemblies. In certain embodiments, device 254 is located at the
part of the
assembly line used to insert blocks into the jacket. For example, device 254
is located
between the steps of longitudinally rolling the jacket strip into a partial
cylindrical shape and
insertion of the core into the insulated conductor assembly. After insertion
of the core, the
jacket containing the blocks and the core may be formed into a complete
cylinder. In some
embodiments, the core is inserted before the blocks and the blocks are
inserted around the core
and inside the jacket.
[0120] In certain embodiments, insulated conductor holder 256 is shaped to
hold part of the
jacket 216 and allow the jacket assembly to move through the insulated
conductor holder
while other parts of the jacket simultaneously move through other portions of
the assembly
line. Insulated conductor holder 256 may be coupled to plunger guide 258 and
air cylinders
260.
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[0121] In certain embodiments, block holder 262 is coupled to insulated
conductor holder
256. Block holder 262 may be a device used to store and insert blocks 264 into
jacket 216. In
certain embodiments, blocks 264 are formed from two half-cylinder blocks 264A,
264B.
Blocks 264 may be made from an electrical insulator suitable for use in the
insulated
conductor assembly such as, but not limited to, magnesium oxide. In some
embodiments,
blocks 264 are about 6" in length. The length of blocks 264 may, however, vary
as desired or
needed for the insulated conductor assembly.
[0122] A divider may be used to separate blocks 264A, 264B in block holder 262
so that the
blocks may be properly inserted into jacket 216. As shown in FIG. 8, blocks
264A, 264B may
be gravity fed from block holder 262 into jacket 216 as the jacket passes
through insulated
conductor holder 256. Blocks 264A, 264B may be inserted in a direct side-by-
side
arrangement into jacket 216 (after insertion, the blocks rest directly side-by-
side horizontally
in the jacket).
[0123] As blocks 264A, 264B are inserted into jacket 216, the blocks may be
moved (pushed)
towards previously inserted blocks to remove gaps between the blocks inside
the jacket.
Blocks 264A. 264B may be moved towards previously inserted blocks using
plunger 266,
shown in FIG. 8. Plunger 266 may be located inside jacket 216 such that the
plunger provides
pressure to the blocks inside the jacket and not to the jacket itself.
[0124] In certain embodiments, plunger 266 has a cross-sectional shape that
allows the
plunger to move freely inside jacket 216 and provide axial force on the blocks
without
providing force on the core inside the jacket. FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of
plunger 266
with a cross-sectional shape that allows the plunger to provide force on the
blocks but not on
the core inside the jacket. In some embodiments, plunger 266 is made of
ceramic or is coated
with a ceramic material. An example of a ceramic material that may be used is
zirconia
toughened alumina (ZTA). Using a ceramic or ceramic coated plunger may inhibit
abrasion of
the blocks by the plunger when force is applied to the blocks by the plunger.
[0125] In certain embodiments, air cylinders 260 are coupled to plunger guide
258 with one or
more rods (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). Air cylinders 260 and plunger guide 258
may be inline
with jacket 216 and plunger 266 to inhibit adding angular moment to the blocks
or the jacket.
Air cylinders 260 may be operated using bi-directional valves so that the air
cylinders can be
extended or retracted based on which side of the air cylinders is provided
with positive air
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pressure. When air cylinders 260 are extended (as shown in FIG. 6), plunger
guide 258 moves
away from insulated conductor holder 256 so that plunger 266 is cleared out of
the way and
allows blocks 264A, 264B to be inserted (for example, dropped) into jacket 216
from block
holder 262.
[0126] When air cylinders 260 retract (as shown in FIG. 7), plunger guide 258
moves towards
to plunger 266 and plunger 266 provides a selected amount of force on blocks
264A, 264B.
Plunger 266 provides the selected amount of force on blocks 264A, 264B to push
the blocks
onto blocks previously inserted into jacket 216. The amount of force provided
by plunger 266
on blocks 264A, 264B may be selected to based on the factors such as, but not
limited to, the
speed of the jacket as it moves through the assembly line, the amount of force
needed to
inhibit gaps forming between adjacent blocks in the jacket, the maximum amount
of force that
may be applied to the blocks without damaging the blocks, or combinations
thereof. For
example, the selected amount of force may be between about 100 pounds of force
and about
500 pounds of force (for example, about 400 pounds of force). In certain
embodiments, the
selected amount of force is the minimum amount of force needed to inhibit the
gaps from
existing between adjacent blocks in the jacket. The selected amount of force
may be
determined by the amount of air pressure provided to the air cylinders.
[0127] After blocks 264A, 264B are pushed against previously inserted blocks,
air pressure in
air cylinders 260 is reversed and the air cylinders extend such that plunger
266 is retracted and
additional blocks are drop into jacket 216 from block holder 262. This process
may be
repeated until jacket 216 is filled with blocks up to a desired length for the
insulated conductor
assembly.
[0128] In certain embodiments, plunger 266 is moved back and forth (extended
and retracted)
using a cam that alternates the direction of air pressure provided to air
cylinders 260. The cam
may, for example, be coupled to a bi-directional valve used to operate the air
cylinders. The
cam may have a first position that operates the valve to extend the air
cylinders and a second
position that operates the valve to retract the air cylinders. The cam may be
moved between
the first and second positions by operation of the plunger such that the cam
switches the
operation of air cylinders between extension and retraction.
[0129] Providing the intermittent force on blocks 264A, 264B from the
extension and
retraction of plunger 266 provides the selected amount of force on the string
of blocks inserted
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into jacket 216. Providing this force to the string of blocks in the jacket
removes and inhibits
gaps from forming between adjacent blocks. Inhibiting gaps between blocks
reduces the
potential for mechanical and/or electrical failure in the insulated conductor
assembly.
[0130] In some embodiments, blocks 264A, 264B are inserted into jacket 216 in
other
methods besides the direct side-by-side arrangement described above. For
example, the
blocks may be inserted in a staggered side-by-side arrangement where the
blocks are offset
along the length of the jacket. In such an arrangement, the plunger may have a
different shape
to accommodate the offset blocks. For example, FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment
of plunger
266 that may be used to push offset (staggered) blocks. As another example,
the blocks may
be inserted in a top/bottom arrangement (one half-cylinder block on top of
another half-
cylinder block). The top/bottom arrangement may have the blocks either
directly on top of
each other or in an offset (staggered) relationship. FIG. 11 depicts an
embodiment of plunger
266 that may be used to push top/bottom arranged blocks. Offsetting or
staggering the block
inside the jacket may inhibit rotation of the blocks relative to blocks before
or after the
inserted blocks.
[0131] Another source of potential problems in insulated conductors with
relatively long
lengths (for example, lengths of 10 m or longer) is that the electrical
properties of the
electrical insulator may degrade over time. Any small change in an electrical
property (for
example, resistivity) may lead to failure of the insulated conductor. Since
the electrical
insulator used in the long length insulated conductor is typically made of
several blocks of
electrical insulator, as described above, improvements in the processes used
to make the
blocks of electrical insulator may increase the reliability of the insulated
conductor. In certain
embodiments, the electrical insulator is improved to have a resistivity that
remains
substantially constant over time during use of the insulated conductor (for
example, during
production of heat by an insulated conductor heater).
[0132] In some embodiments, electrical insulator blocks (such as magnesium
oxide blocks)
are purified to remove impurities that may cause degradation of the blocks
over time. For
example, raw material used for the electrical insulator blocks may be heated
to higher
temperatures to convert metal oxide impurities to elemental metal (for
example, iron oxide
impurities may be converted to elemental iron). Elemental metal may be removed
from the
raw electrical insulator material more easily than metal oxide. Thus, purity
of the raw
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electrical insulator material may be improved by heating the raw material to
higher
temperatures before removal of the impurities. The raw material may be heated
to higher
temperatures by, for example, using a plasma discharge.
[0133] In some embodiments, the electrical insulator blocks are made using hot
pressing, a
method known in the art for making ceramics. Hot pressing of the electrical
insulator blocks
may get the raw material in the blocks to fuse at points of contact in the
insulated conductor
heater. Fusing of the blocks at points of contact may improve the electrical
properties of the
electrical insulator.
[0134] In some embodiments, the electrical insulator blocks are cooled in an
oven using dried
or purified air. Using dried or purified air may decrease the addition of
impurities or moisture
to the blocks during the cooling process. Removing moisture from the blocks
may increase
the reliability of electrical properties of the blocks.
[0135] In some embodiments, the electrical insulator blocks are not heat
treated during the
process of making the blocks. Not heat treating the blocks may maintain the
resistivity in the
blocks and inhibit degradation of the blocks over time. In some embodiments,
the electrical
insulator blocks are heated at slow heating rates to help maintain resistivity
in the blocks.
[0136] In some embodiments, the core of the insulated conductor is coated with
a material
that inhibits migration of impurities into the electrical insulator of the
insulated conductor.
For example, coating of an Alloy 180 core with nickel or Inconel 625 might
inhibit migration
of materials from the Alloy 180 into the electrical insulator. In some
embodiments, the core is
made of material that does not migrate into the electrical insulator. For
example, a carbon
steel core may not cause degradation of the electrical insulator over time.
[0137] In some embodiments, the electrical insulator is made from powdered raw
material
such as powdered magnesium oxide. Powdered magnesium oxide may resist
degradation
better than other types of magnesium oxide.
[0138] It is to be understood the invention is not limited to particular
systems described which
may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used
herein is for the
purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be
limiting. As
used in this specification, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include
plural referents unless
the content clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a
core" includes a
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combination of two or more cores and reference to "a material" includes
mixtures of
materials.
[0139] Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of
the invention
will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description.
Accordingly, this
description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of
teaching those
skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to
be understood that
the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as the
presently
preferred embodiments. Elements and materials may be substituted for those
illustrated and
described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of
the invention
may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the
art after having
the benefit of this description of the invention. Changes may be made in the
elements
described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
as described in
the following claims.
[0140] It is to be understood that each of the features in the claims set
forth below may be
combined with, or separated from, features from other claims. For example, the
features of
two or more dependent claims can be combined together to form a claim that is
multiply
dependent.
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