US4484627A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well completion for electrical power transmission
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1983-06-30
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Granted: 1984-11-27
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Expires: 2003-06-30
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a well completion for electrical alternating current power transmission that minimizes power losses and related corrosion problems. Casing is used both as the electrode and conductor. Most of the conductor portion is made of nonmagnetic metal, for example aluminum, and is electrically insulated both exteriorly and interiorly. The insulation extends below the point where the nonmagnetic metal ends. Tubing is used to produce or inject fluids. The upper end of the conductor-electrode may be surrounded by a nonmagnetic surface string which is also electrically insulated.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas K. Perkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:08
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B17/003; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/2401
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A well completion for electrical power transmission to subsurface electrode for applying heat to a subsurface formation comprising: (a) a metal first casing string extending from near the surface of the earth downward at least to a predetermined point where an electrode is to be located, said first casing string being divided into an upper casing portion and a lower casing portion, said upper casing portion being a nonmagnetic metal; (b) first outer electrical insulation on the exterior surface of said upper casing portion and a part of said lower casing portion; (c) first inner electrical insulation covering most of the interior surface of said upper casing portion and a part of said lower casing portion; (d) an inner tubing string extending from surface of the earth downward inside said first casing string through at least a part of said lower casing portion, said tubing string being adapted to conduct fluids between the surface and a predetermined subsurface point; and (e) an alternating current power source electrically connected to said first casing string.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A well completion for electrical power transmission to subsurface electrode for applying heat to a subsurface formation comprising: (a) a metal first casing string extending from near the surface of the earth downward at least to a predetermined point where an electrode is to be located, said first casing string being divided into an upper casing portion and a lower casing portion, said upper casing portion being a nonmagnetic metal; (b) first outer electrical insulation on the exterior surface of said upper casing portion and a part of said lower casing portion; (c) first inner electrical insulation covering most of the interior surface of said upper casing portion and a part of said lower casing portion; (d) an inner tubing string extending from surface of the earth downward inside said first casing string through at least a part of said lower casing portion, said tubing string being adapted to conduct fluids between the surface and a predetermined subsurface point; and (e) an alternating current power source electrically connected to said first casing string.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The well completion of claim 1 wherein said upper casing portion is comprised of aluminum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The well completion of claim 1 wherein a packer means is located below said upper casing portion and said inner electrical insulation is an electrically nonconducting packer fluid in the annulus between said tubing string and the portion of said casing string above said packer means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The well completion of claim 3 wherein the upper casing portion is comprised of aluminum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The well completion of claim 1 wherein a second casing string extends from near the surface of the earth downward at least to predetermined subsurface point, said second casing string surrounding said first inner string, first outer electrical insulation on the exterior surface of said second casing string and second inner insulation covering most of the interior surface of said second casing string.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The well completion of claim 5 wherein said upper casing portion is comprised of aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The well completion of claim 5 wherein a packer means is located below said upper casing portion and said inner electrical insulation is an electrically nonconducting packer fluid in the annulus between said tubing string and the portion of said casing string above said packer means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The well completion of claim 7 wherein said upper casing portion is comprised of aluminum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The well completion of claim 5 wherein said second inner insulation is comprised of cement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The completion of claim 9 wherein said upper casing portion is comprised of aluminum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The well completion of claim 9 wherein a packer means is located below said upper casing portion and said inner electrical insulation is an electrically nonconducting packer fluid in the annulus between said tubing string and the portion of casing string above said packer means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The well completion of claim 11 wherein said upper casing portion is comprised of aluminum.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for completing a well for transmitting electrical power into a subsurface area comprising: (a) lowering a metal lower casing string downward into the earth; (b) connecting said lower casing string to a nonmagnetic metal upper casing string and lowering said upper casing string and said lower casing string downward into the earth at least to a first point where an electrode is to be located; (c) covering most of the exposed exterior surface of an upper portion of said lower casing string with an electrical insulation as said lower casing string is being lowered into the earth; (d) covering most of the exposed exterior surface of said upper casing string with electrical insulation as said upper string is lowered into the earth; (e) lowering a tubing string with a packer downward from the surface of the earth into and through said upper casing string and into said lower casing string; (f) setting said packer at a point inside said lower casing string below the lowest point of said upper casing string; (g) adding an electrically nonconductive liquid to the annulus between said tubing and said casing above said packer; and (h) connecting an alternating current power source to said upper casing string.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for completing a well for transmitting electrical power into a subsurface area comprising: (a) lowering a metal lower casing string downward into the earth; (b) connecting said lower casing string to a nonmagnetic metal upper casing string and lowering said upper casing string and said lower casing string downward into the earth at least to a first point where an electrode is to be located; (c) covering most of the exposed exterior surface of an upper portion of said lower casing string with an electrical insulation as said lower casing string is being lowered into the earth; (d) covering most of the exposed exterior surface of said upper casing string with electrical insulation as said upper string is lowered into the earth; (e) lowering a tubing string with a packer downward from the surface of the earth into and through said upper casing string and into said lower casing string; (f) setting said packer at a point inside said lower casing string below the lowest point of said upper casing string; (g) adding an electrically nonconductive liquid to the annulus between said tubing and said casing above said packer; and (h) connecting an alternating current power source to said upper casing string.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
In the method of claim 13 wherein said upper casing string is comprised of aluminum.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
In the method of claim 13 wherein before step (a) a nonmagnetic metal outer surface casing string is lowered down into the earth to a predetermined point and most of the exposed exterior surface of said surface casing string is covered with electrical insulation as said surface casing string is lowered into the earth.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
In the method of claim 15 wherein said upper casing string is comprised of aluminum.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
In the method of claim 15 wherein cement is placed inside said surface casing string.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
In the method of claim 17 wherein said upper casing string is comprised of aluminum.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-11-27 | 1988-05-28 | 1988-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-27 | 1992-05-28 | 1992-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-27 | 1996-05-28 | 1996-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |