Method and apparatus for de-icing oilwells

摘要

A power cable for an ESP is used also for heating well bores in cold climates. An electrical switch is located within a wellbore at a selected location in the power cable. The electrical switch is provided to selectively short out the conductors within the power cable, thereby allowing the power cable above the switch to be used as a resistive heating element to thaw the wellbore. While the switch is open, power supplied to power cable drives ESP in a normal manner.