Abstract: Thermal energy delivery and oil production arrangements and methods thereof are disclosed which heat a subterranean formation, and which comprises positioning concentric tubing strings in a wellbore; heating a heat transfer fluid using a surface thermal fluid heater; flowing a liquid or feedwater downward through an extremely hot innermost tubing string that is inside and concentric to an outermost tubing string and a casing/annulus, which extends below a thermal packer positioned in the wellbore, and continually circulating the heat transfer fluid through the outermost tubing string and the casing/annulus above the thermal packer such that the liquid or feedwater flowing through the innermost tubing string is heated thereby and injected into the wellbore below the thermal packer and out of perforations to heat the subterranean formation to temperatures that allow for hydrocarbon production from the subterranean formation. Emissions may be injected into the subterranean formation with the liquid or feedwater.

Abstract: Thermal energy delivery and oil production arrangements and methods thereof are disclosed which heat a subterranean formation, and which comprises positioning concentric tubing strings in a wellbore; heating a heat transfer fluid using a surface thermal fluid heater; flowing a liquid or feedwater downward through an extremely hot innermost tubing string that is inside and concentric to an outermost tubing string and a casing/annulus, which extends below a thermal packer positioned in the wellbore, and continually circulating the heat transfer fluid through the outermost tubing string and the casing/annulus above the thermal packer such that the liquid or feedwater flowing through the innermost tubing string is heated thereby and injected into the wellbore below the thermal packer and out of perforations to heat the subterranean formation to temperatures that allow for hydrocarbon production from the subterranean formation. Emissions may be injected into the subterranean formation with the liquid or feedwater.

Abstract: Thermal energy delivery and oil production arrangements and methods thereof are disclosed which heat a subterranean formation, and which comprises positioning concentric tubing strings in a wellbore; heating a heat transfer fluid using a surface thermal fluid heater; flowing a liquid or feedwater downward through an extremely hot innermost tubing string that is inside and concentric to an outermost tubing string and a casing/annulus, which extends below a thermal packer positioned in the wellbore, and continually circulating the heat transfer fluid through the outermost tubing string and the casing/annulus above the thermal packer such that the liquid or feedwater flowing through the innermost tubing string is heated thereby and injected into the wellbore below the thermal packer and out of perforations to heat the subterranean formation to temperatures that allow for hydrocarbon production from the subterranean formation. Emissions may be injected into the subterranean formation with the liquid or feedwater.

Abstract: Thermal energy delivery and oil production arrangements and methods thereof are disclosed which heat a subterranean formation, and which comprises positioning concentric tubing strings in a wellbore; heating a heat transfer fluid using a surface thermal fluid heater; flowing a liquid or feedwater downward through an extremely hot innermost tubing string that is inside and concentric to an outermost tubing string and a casing/annulus, which extends below a thermal packer positioned in the wellbore, and continually circulating the heat transfer fluid through the outermost tubing string and the casing/annulus above the thermal packer such that the liquid or feedwater flowing through the innermost tubing string is heated thereby and injected into the wellbore below the thermal packer and out of perforations to heat the subterranean formation to temperatures that allow for hydrocarbon production from the subterranean formation. Emissions may be injected into the subterranean formation with the liquid or feedwater.

Abstract: Thermal energy delivery and oil production arrangements and methods thereof are disclosed which heat a subterranean formation (132), and which comprises positioning concentric tubing strings (220) in a wellbore (130); heating a heat transfer fluid (250) using a surface thermal fluid heater (186); flowing a liquid or feedwater (142) downward through an extremely hot innermost tubing string (248) that is inside and concentric to an outermost tubing string (252) and a casing/annulus (260), which extends below a thermal packer (156) positioned in the wellbore, and continually circulating the heat transfer fluid through the outermost tubing string and the casing/annulus above the thermal packer such that the liquid or feedwater flowing through the innermost tubing string is heated thereby and injected into the wellbore below the thermal packer and out of perforations to heat the subterranean formation to temperatures that allow for hydrocarbon production from the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced delivery of thermal energy to vertical wellbores are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises heating a heat transfer fluid; continuously circulating the heat transfer fluid into a vertical wellbore to a downhole heat exchanger; advancing hot feedwater into the vertical wellbore to the downhole heat exchanger, wherein the downhole heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to the hot feedwater to generate high-quality steam; transmitting the steam from the downhole heat exchanger into a subterranean formation, whereby thermal energy from the steam causes a reduction in viscosity of hydrocarbons in the subterranean formation; injecting an acid scale wash to counter scale buildup from the hot feedwater on the downhole heat exchanger; and returning the heat transfer fluid from the downhole heat exchanger to the surface thermal fluid heater for reheating and recirculation into the vertical wellbore.

Abstract: Thermal energy delivery and oil production arrangements and methods thereof are disclosed which heat a subterranean formation (132), and which comprises positioning concentric tubing strings (220) in a wellbore (130); heating a heat transfer fluid (250) using a surface thermal fluid heater (186); flowing a liquid or feedwater (142) downward through an extremely hot innermost tubing string (248) that is inside and concentric to an outermost tubing string (252) and a casing/annulus (260), which extends below a thermal packer (156) positioned in the wellbore, and continually circulating the heat transfer fluid through the outermost tubing string and the casing/annulus above the thermal packer such that the liquid or feedwater flowing through the innermost tubing string is heated thereby and injected into the wellbore below the thermal packer and out of perforations to heat the subterranean formation to temperatures that allow for hydrocarbon production from the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivery of thermal energy to horizontal wellbores are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises heating a heat transfer fluid; circulating the heat transfer fluid into a vertical bore to a heat exchanger; advancing feedwater into the vertical bore to the heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to the feedwater to generate steam; transmitting the steam from the heat exchanger into a horizontal wellbore to cause heating of a subterranean region; and returning the heat transfer fluid from the heat exchanger to the surface. The method may further comprise collecting liquefied formation in a second horizontal wellbore; and transmitting the liquefied formation to the surface through a production line.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivery of thermal energy to horizontal wellbores are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises heating a heat transfer fluid; circulating the heat transfer fluid into a vertical bore to a heat exchanger; advancing feedwater into the vertical bore to the heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to the feedwater to generate steam; transmitting the steam from the heat exchanger into a horizontal wellbore to cause heating of a subterranean region; and returning the heat transfer fluid from the heat exchanger to the surface. The method may further comprise collecting liquefied formation in a second horizontal wellbore; and transmitting the liquefied formation to the surface through a production line.

Abstract: A system and method of recovering hydrocarbons located at or above a sea floor of a sea are disclosed. The method includes heating a working fluid at a heater and delivering the working fluid downward into the sea through a first string of a riser to a heat exchanger. The riser has a plurality of strings in a concentric arrangement. The heat exchanger transfers thermal energy from the working fluid to at least hydrocarbons to enable recovery of the hydrocarbons through a second string of the riser. The working fluid returns from the heat exchanger to the heater through a third string of the riser.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced delivery of thermal energy to vertical wellbores are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises heating a heat transfer fluid; continuously circulating the heat transfer fluid into a vertical wellbore to a downhole heat exchanger; advancing hot feedwater into the vertical wellbore to the downhole heat exchanger, wherein the downhole heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to the hot feedwater to generate high-quality steam; transmitting the steam from the downhole heat exchanger into a subterranean formation, whereby thermal energy from the steam causes a reduction in viscosity of hydrocarbons in the subterranean formation; injecting an acid scale wash to counter scale buildup from the hot feedwater on the downhole heat exchanger; and returning the heat transfer fluid from the downhole heat exchanger to the surface thermal fluid heater for reheating and recirculation into the vertical wellbore.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enhanced recovery of subterranean deposits. A heating fluid circulates in a concentric tubing assembly which attaches to a downhole heat exchanger. A convertible fluid descends to the downhole heat exchanger in the concentric tubing assembly where it converts to vapor by transfer of heat from the heating fluid. The vapor can then be used to liquefy viscous subterranean deposits. A feed control valve controls the rate at which convertible fluid enters the downhole heat exchanger. Scale produced by the vaporization of the convertible fluid is purged by a purging valve into the well sump.