Device for in situ extraction of a substance comprising hydrocarbons

Abstract

A device for in situ extraction of a substance including hydrocarbons while reducing the viscosity thereof from an underground storage site is provided. The device includes at least one production pipeline leading out of the storage site, and at least two electrodes which are inductively and resistively effective relative to at least parts of the storage site.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A device for in situ extraction of a substance including hydrocarbons from an underground storage site by reducing the viscosity of the substance, comprising:
 a production pipeline leading out of the storage site; and   two electrodes of an electric heater, the electric heater working inductively and resistively relative to parts of the storage site.   
     
     
         17 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the two electrodes of the electric heater are formed by essentially perpendicularly oriented electrodes running at least partially in the storage site. 
     
     
         18 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the two electrodes of the electric heater are formed by essentially horizontally oriented electrodes running at least partially in the storage site. 
     
     
         19 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a power source, wherein segments of the electrodes are spaced at a distance from one another, the distance decreasing steplessly with an increasing length of the electrodes from the perspective of the power source.   
     
     
         20 . The device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the distance between the segments of the electrodes decreases linearly. 
     
     
         21 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the electrodes are rod-shaped metal electrical conductors. 
     
     
         22 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a guide pipe, the electrodes running coaxially in the guide pipe, wherein the guide pipe is permeable to liquid for a deposition of a liquid in parts of the storage site at corresponding subareas running in the storage site.   
     
     
         23 . The device as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a guide pipe, the electrodes running coaxially in the guide pipe, wherein the guide pipe is permeable to liquid for a deposition of a liquid in parts of the storage site at corresponding subareas running in the storage sige.   
     
     
         24 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the electrodes are electrically connected to one another by a connecting post at their end areas remote from the power source. 
     
     
         25 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an injection pipeline projecting into the storage site.   
     
     
         26 . The device as claimed in  claim 23 , further comprising:
 an injection pipeline projecting into the storage site.   
     
     
         27 . The device as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the injection pipeline and the production pipeline have horizontally oriented pipe sections running essentially parallel to one another in the storage site, and, when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the injection and production pipeline, the electrodes are disposed on both sides of the injection and production pipeline. 
     
     
         28 . The device as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein one of the two electrodes of the electric heater is formed by at least parts of the injection pipeline and the other electrode is formed by the at least parts of the production pipeline. 
     
     
         29 . The device as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein one of the two electrodes of the electric heater is formed by at least parts of the injection pipeline and the other electrode is formed by the at least parts of the production pipeline. 
     
     
         30 . The device as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein hot steam is applied to the injection pipeline and the production pipeline. 
     
     
         31 . The device as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein hot steam is applied to the injection pipeline and the production pipeline. 
     
     
         32 . The device as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the hot steam is provided with an electrolyte to increase its electrical conductivity. 
     
     
         33 . The device as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the hot steam is provided with a salt to increase its electrical conductivity. 
     
     
         34 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the electric heater is an alternating current heater. 
     
     
         35 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein a frequency in the range of 1 Hz and 200 kHz and a voltage in the range from 100 V to 10 kV is provided for the electric heater.