Apparatus and method for in-situ electromagnetic extraction and production of hydrocarbons from geological formations

Abstract

Presented is a system for extracting subsurface oil using microwave or RF energy generated above the ground surface, and directed to an underground oil bearing location using a coaxial transmission line functioning as a wave guide.

1 . An oil extraction system using application of surface generated energy and subsurface energy application, and a surface reciprocating force, for energy assisted oil extraction for extracting oil from a borehole comprising:
 a surface mounted energy source for producing energy for routing to at least one subsurface oil collection point in said borehole;   a subsurface energy applicator configured to be lowered into said borehole, for launching surface generated energy into adjacent oil bearing substrate, and operatively connected to said surface mounted energy source;   an energy transmission system operatively connected to said energy source and to said subsurface energy applicator, and comprising a coaxial transmission line, and at least one energy choke configured for blocking said transferred energy from exiting said transmission system; and   a downhole oil pumping system comprising mechanical couplings and actuators configured to transport oil from said subsurface oil collection points in said drill shaft to a surface collection point.   
   
   
       2 . The oil extraction system of  claim 1 , in which said surface mounted energy source is a microwave energy generator. 
   
   
       3 . The oil extraction system of  claim 1 , in which said surface mounted energy source is a radio frequency energy generator. 
   
   
       4 . The oil extraction system of  claim 1  in which said coaxial transmission line is a wave guide formed between an inside surface of an outer tubular conductor and an outside surface of an inner tubular conductor. 
   
   
       5 . The oil extraction system of  claim 1  in which said energy choke is a section of outer tubular conductor of a length equal to 0.25 wavelengths of the energy being transmitted. 
   
   
       6 . The oil extraction system of  claim 5  which further comprises a first energy choke parallel and contiguous with said outer tubular conductor. 
   
   
       7 . The oil extraction system of  claim 5  in which said first energy choke further comprises a seal for said inner tubular conductor and is configured to allow said inner tubular conductor to extend beyond an end of said first energy choke. 
   
   
       8 . The oil extraction system of  claim 5  which further comprises a second energy choke normal and contiguous with said outer tubular conductor, and positioned above said ground surface. 
   
   
       9 . The oil extraction system of  claim 5  in which said second energy choke further comprises a seal for a section of said inner tubular conductor and is configured to allow said inner tubular conductor to extend beyond an end of said second energy choke, with said second energy choke comprising an oil output port. 
   
   
       10 . The oil extraction system of  claim 4  in which said downhole oil pumping system further comprises a reciprocating pump rod enclosed within said inner tubular conductor, with said reciprocating pump rod operatively connected to a downhole pump, and a reciprocating force above said ground surface. 
   
   
       11 . An oil extraction system using surface generated energy and subsurface energy application, and a surface reciprocating force, for energy assisted oil extraction for extracting oil from a borehole comprising:
 a surface mounted energy source for producing microwave energy for routing to at least one subsurface oil collection points in said borehole:   a subsurface energy applicator configured to be lowered into said borehole, for launching surface generated energy into adjacent oil bearing substrate, and operatively connected to said surface mounted microwave energy source;   an energy transmission system operatively connected to said energy source and to said subsurface energy applicator, and comprising a coaxial transmission line with an outer tubular conductor, and an inner tubular conductor, with an inside surface of said outer tubular conductor and an outside surface of said inner tubular conductor forming a wave guide for conducting microwave energy;   a first energy choke parallel and contiguous with said outer tubular conductor and configured for blocking said transferred energy from exiting said energy transmission system and comprising a section of outer tubular conductor of a length equal to 0.25 wavelengths of the energy being transmitted, with said first energy choke comprising a seal for said inner tubular conductor configured to allow said inner tubular conductor to extend beyond an end of said first energy choke;   a second energy choke normal and contiguous with said outer tubular conductor, positioned above said ground surface, comprising a seal for a section of said inner tubular conductor and is configured to allow said inner tubular conductor to extend beyond an end of said second energy choke, with said second energy choke further comprising an oil output port; and   a downhole oil pumping system comprising a downhole pump, a reciprocating pump rod enclosed within said inner tubular conductor, with said reciprocating pump rod operatively connected to a downhole pump, and a reciprocating force above said ground surface, and further comprising mechanical couplings and actuators configured to transport oil from said subsurface oil collection pints in said drill shaft to a surface collection point.