Patents by Inventor Fred E. Vermeulen

Fred E. Vermeulen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Electromagnetic reservoir heating with vertical well supply and horizontal well return electrodes
    Patent number: 5339898
    Abstract: The invention involves combining a plurality of vertical wells, each having a power conditioning unit located on the surface and an electrode in electrical contact with the reservoir, with a horizontal well extending through the reservoir in spaced relation to the vertical wells. The liner and tubing of the horizontal well function as the common return means for the circuit. Low frequency current is supplied to flow between the vertical and horizontal wells at adequate levels so as to cause heating in the near-wellbore regions of all the wells. Oil is produced, at the same time as electrical heating, at enhanced rates as a result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Texaco Canada Petroleum, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Lawrence Yu, Bruce C. W. McGee, Frederick S. Chute, Fred E. Vermeulen