IN-SITU EXTRACTION OF HYDROCARBONS FROM OlL SANDS

Abstract

A device and method of using the device enable the in-situ extraction of hydrocarbons from oil sands and other hydrocarbon resources. The preferred embodiment of the device includes at least two electrodes of tubular form wherein said electrodes are porous and capable of being inserted into the ground; a source of electrical current to apply to the electrodes; and a means for extracting the hydrocarbons from the tubular electrodes. In the preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, the electrodes are inserted into the oil deposit and connected to an electrical potential difference sufficient to drive an electric current between in-ground electrodes. Current is then flowed between the electrodes. The pressure gradient, resulting from heating the oil-bearing fluid, drives product into the tubular electrodes where it is removed.

Description

Claims

1. A device for the in-situ extraction of hydrocarbons comprising, a plurality of electrodes in tubular form wherein said electrodes are porous and capable of being inserted into the ground;a source of electrical current to apply to the electrodes; and,a means for extracting the hydrocarbons from the tubular electrodes.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the electrodes are steel tubes of six-inch diameter with a thickness of copper on the inner wall.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising electrically insulating sleeves installed over the electrodes where the electrodes are in contact with overburden.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising an electrode at the end of a casing wherein the electrode is electrically insulated from the casing.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the source of electrical current is capable of providing a pulsed current.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the pulsed current is at least about 1,000 amps current over a period of about 20 seconds to 2 minutes.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein said source of electrical current is a motor and flywheel configured such that after the flywheel reaches a rotation corresponding to the energy desired, that rotational energy is discharged by turning a generator, which creates the desired pulse of electrical current.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for extracting is a valved pipeline.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for extracting is a pump.

10. A method of using the device of claim 1 comprising the steps of, inserting the electrodes into a hydrocarbons deposit in the ground; running a current between the electrodes of sufficient magnitude to heat the ground between the electrodes; and,extracting the hydrocarbons from the electrodes.

11. The method of using of claim 8 further comprising the step of injecting an electrolyte into the deposit through the electrodes.

12. The method of using of claim 8 further comprising the step of pressurizing one or more of the electrodes with nitrogen gas.

13. The method of using of claim 8 wherein the current is pulsed and has a duration that minimizes thermal conduction into the solid centers of the sand grains.