Systems and methods for enhancing recovery of hydrocarbon deposits

摘要

A method for enhancing the recovery of hydrocarbon deposit includes the step of sensing a material property of an underground volume. A three-dimensional map identifying the spatial variation in the sensed material property of the underground volume is generated. Propagating electromagnetic radiation is transmitted in the volume based on the map. The propagating electromagnetic radiation transmission is varied in at least one of frequency, polarization, wavelength, frequency, amplitude, mode, and phase in response to the variation in the material property of a region within the volume to which the propagating electromagnetic radiation is directed. Accordingly, the volume is heated in a spatially varying manner to heat material in the volume and thereby induce the flow of hydrocarbon deposits from the volume.

主权项

1. A method of enhancing recovery of hydrocarbon deposits, the method comprising:
sensing a material property of an underground volume by a first electromagnetic antenna positioned above ground and remote from the volume; creating a three dimensional map identifying the spatial variation in the sensed material property of the underground volume; and transmitting propagating electromagnetic radiation into the volume based on the three dimensional map, the propagating electromagnetic radiation transmission varying in at least one of frequency, polarization, wavelength, amplitude, mode or phase in response to the variation in the material property of a region within the volume to which the propagating electromagnetic radiation is directed, wherein the propagating electromagnetic radiation is transmitted in a spatially varying manner to heat material in the volume and thereby induce the flow of hydrocarbon deposits from the volume, wherein transmitting includes transmission via a second electromagnetic antenna positioned above ground and remote from the volume.