Practical Alternative Microwave Technology to Enhance Recovery Heavy Oil in Reserviors

Abstract

Extracting of Heavy Oil (Hydrocarbon) from Tar Sand and Oil Shale in deep reservoirs 7,000-12,000 feet below the ground surface by using Circular Waveguides Technology and Microwave Energy High Power System. Using Circular Waveguides as microwave energy radiator connects to the Microwave High Power System is the most practical method and provides a relatively cost-effective means of extract heavy oil from target Tar Sand or Oil Shale in deep reservoirs. This invention method can be applied for future new well bores that are in the plan to be drilled. It also can be used for existing un-use well bores that are being closed; waiting for cleaner new enhance oil recovery technology becoming available in order to reclaim of heavy oil without damaging the environment.

1 . A practical alternative method for extraction of heavy oil recovery from tar sand or oil shale in the well bores depth from 7,000 -12,000 feet below the ground surface, and possibly can be used for deeper reservoirs. 
     
     
         2 . Circular Waveguide Pipe is an ideal technology hardware to use in deep reservoirs. Circular Waveguide gives more mechanical advantages in design and development time, ease of hardware interchangeability and compatibility, reduces replacement time and maintainability costs. 
     
     
         3 . The method in  claim 2  where Circular Waveguide pipe inside diameter 3.50 inch (4.45 cm) operates at 2.45GHz and in frequency range of 2.100-2.570 Gigahertz (GHz). Smaller Circular Waveguide pipe diameters in between 2.90-3.30 inch are usable and operate in the frequency range of 2.2-3.1 GHz. 
     
     
         4 . The method in  claim 2  where Circular Waveguide pipes is the best technology for long distance run because it has the lowest electrical attenuation loss and capable handling far more Continuous Wave power than corresponding rectangular waveguides and coaxial cables. 
     
     
         5 . The method in  claim 1  where Practical Alternative Microwave Technology method is much cleaner and safer to the environment in deep wellbores. Alternative enhanced method uses much smaller compacted circular radiating device over other existing methods. Unlike the other methods, this alternative enhanced method does not require any additional water injection, steam injection or chemical injection into the wellbore nor any additional RF radiator attachment devices such as dipole antennas, phase array antennas and coaxial cables in order to heat the tar sand and oil shale. 
     
     
         6 . The method in  claim 2  method has flexibility to accommodate many existing deep casing boreholes smaller than 7 inch diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The method in  claim 2  method where equipment uses for the invention is compatible with industry standard requirements, which will result in huge cost savings. 
     
     
         8 . The method in  claim 1  &  claim 2  methods is to design circular waveguide Microwave Dielectric Cap out with special material capable to handle very high continuous wave microwave power and allows microwave passing through the dielectric material to radiates the surrounding heavy oil. At the same time, its capable to handle deep reservoirs high pressure and high temperature, and prevent any moisture from leaking into the circular waveguide pipe.