Abstract: An electric barrier to limit crossing of a border or perimeter. It consists of rows of vertical electrodes installed underground or above ground. It has two modes of operation. In an RF heating mode a generator powers electric fields to heat the ground in a pattern around the fence. A temperature may be reached which makes human occupation of tunnels untenable. Humans may also be subjected to RF radiation effects, especially if the frequency is tuned to a resonant frequency of tunnel cavities. Detection of a resonant frequency by suitable instrumentation may also indicate the presence of tunnels. In another mode occupants of a tunnel may be subjected to shock from an electric pulse, without heating, depending on small amounts of moisture to transmit the pulse through soil to the tunnel.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for fracturing geological formations in a hydrocarbon reservoir. One method includes forming a borehole in a hydrocarbon reservoir from a surface of the hydrocarbon reservoir extending downward into the hydrocarbon reservoir; transmitting an electromagnetic (EM) wave through the borehole: directing at least a portion of the EM wave to rocks at a location below the surface in the hydrocarbon reservoir; and fracturing the rocks at the location below the surface in the hydrocarbon reservoir by irradiating the rocks around the borehole using at least the portion of the EM wave, wherein irradiating the rocks elevates pore-water pressure in the rocks causing fracturing of the rocks.

Abstract: A plurality of heaters is provided where each of the plurality of heaters includes a fuel cell stack assembly having a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. Each of the plurality of fuel cells also includes a conductor electrically connecting the fuel cell stack assembly to an electronic controller which monitors and controls electric current produced by the fuel cell stack assembly. The conductor of one of the plurality of heaters allows electric current produced by the fuel cell stack assembly of the one of the plurality of heaters to be monitored and controlled by the electronic controller independently of the fuel cell stack assembly of at least another one of the plurality of heaters.

Abstract: A method for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbonaceous fluids, the method including the steps of creating a plurality of wellbores in a subterranean formation, whereby one or more of the plurality of wellbores may include a directionally drilled portion with solution disposed therein, and an electrode operatively connected with a power source. Other steps include generating an electrical field within the subterranean formation, thereby causing an electrochemical reaction to produce a gas from the solution, such that the gas mixes with hydrocarbonaceous fluids present in the formation and increases pressure within at least one of the plurality of wellbores, the subterranean formation, and combinations thereof, thereby enhancing recovery of the hydrocarbonaceous fluid.

Abstract: A device is proposed for fracturing a geological hydrocarbon reservoir, including two packers defining a confined space therebetween in a well drilled in the reservoir, an apparatus for regulating the temperature of a fluid in the confined space, a pair of two electrodes arranged in the confined space, and an electric circuit to generate an electric arc between the two electrodes. The circuit includes at least one voltage source connected to the electrodes and an inductor coil between the voltage source and one of the two electrodes. This allows improved fracturing of the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of triggering heating within a subterranean formation, that includes introducting a wellbore fluid containing a dispersed carbon nanomaterial into a wellbore through the subterranean formation; lowering a microwave or ultraviolet radiation source into the wellbore; and irradiating the wellbore with microwave or ultraviolet radiation, thereby increasing the temperature of the wellbore fluid and/or wellbore is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having at least one pair of laterally extending upper and lower wellbores therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source. The device may also include an upper wellbore RF radiator to be positioned in the laterally extending upper wellbore and including a plurality of first terminals. The device may further include a lower wellbore RF radiator to be positioned in the laterally extending lower wellbore and comprising a plurality of second terminals. The device may also include an interconnection arrangement configured to couple the RF source and the first and second terminals so that at least one of the upper and lower wellbore RF radiators heat the hydrocarbon resource in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method for permeability improvement for a downhole coal seam by directional fracturing with pulsed detonation waves, which is applicable to gas control in coal seam areas with high gas concentration and low air permeability. The permeability improvement method is as follows: first, drilling a pulsed detonation borehole and pulsed detonation guide boreholes from a coal roadway to a coal seam respectively; then, pushing a positive electrode connected to a positive output side of an explosion-proof high-voltage electrical pulse generator to the bottom of the pulsed detonation borehole and pushing a negative electrode connected to a negative output side of the explosion-proof high-voltage electrical pulse generator to the bottom of the pulsed detonation guide borehole; connecting the pulsed detonation borehole and the pulsed detonation guide boreholes to an extraction pipeline for gas extraction, after electrical pulsed detonation fracturing for the coal seam is carried out.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for fracturing geological formations in a hydrocarbon reservoir. One method includes forming a borehole in a hydrocarbon reservoir from a surface of the hydrocarbon reservoir extending downward into the hydrocarbon reservoir; transmitting an electromagnetic (EM) wave through the borehole: directing at least a portion of the EM wave to rocks at a location below the surface in the hydrocarbon reservoir; and fracturing the rocks at the location below the surface in the hydrocarbon reservoir by irradiating the rocks around the borehole using at least the portion of the EM wave, wherein irradiating the rocks elevates pore-water pressure in the rocks causing fracturing of the rocks.

Abstract: The oil production intensification method includes injecting the reagent into the reservoir and treating the bottom zone of the well with high voltage pulse discharges with an electric discharge device continuously traveling from bottom to top in the atmosphere of such reagent. The number of pulses of such high voltage pulse discharges is set subject to the real porosity of the reservoir and the empirical dependence of the number of pulses of high voltage pulse discharges per meter of the reservoir and porosity of rocks pre-estimated with the core material. After the electric discharge device stops traveling up, the treatment with high voltage pulse discharges also stops, and the well is pressurized until the pressure stabilizes in it. Then, the bottom hole area of the well is further treated with high voltage pulses as the electric discharge device travels from top to bottom. Whereby an intensified oil production is realized, from 2 to 20 times more oil may be extracted.

Abstract: Controlled fracturing in geologic formations is carried out in a method employing a combination of alternating and impulsive current waveforms, applied in succession to achieve extensive fracturing and disintegration of rock materials for liquid and gas recovery. In a pre-conditioning step, high voltage discharges and optionally with highly ionizable gas injections are applied to a system of borehole electrodes, causing the formation to fracture with disintegration in multiple directions but confined between the locations of electrode pairs of opposite polarity. After pre-conditioning, intense current waveform of pulse energy is then applied to the system of borehole electrodes to create waves of ionization or shock waves with bubbles of heated gas that propagate inside and outside the high conductivity channels, resulting in rock disintegration with attendant large scale multiple fracturing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing deposits from a component of a formation fluid and/or gas transportation tubing string. The disclosed systems and methods generate at least one shock wave into a shock wave transmitting liquid into the transportation tubing string nearby to the component and propagate the at least one shock wave toward the component for removing deposits from the component.

Abstract: A device for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein may include a tubular radio frequency (RF) antenna within the wellbore, and a tool slidably positioned within the tubular RF antenna. The tool may include an RF transmission line and at least one RF contact coupled to a distal end of the RF transmission line and biased in contact with the tubular RF antenna. The tool may also include an anchoring device configured to selectively anchor the RF transmission line and the at least one RF contact within the tubular RF antenna.

Abstract: Controlled fracturing in geologic formations is carried out by a system for generating fractures. The system comprises: a plurality of electrodes for placing in boreholes in a formation with one electrode per borehole, for the plurality of electrodes to define a fracture pattern for the geologic formation; a first electrical system for delivering a sufficient amount of energy to the electrodes to generate a conductive channel between the pair of electrodes with the conductivity in the channel has a ratio of final to initial channel conductivity of 10:1 to 50,000:1, wherein the sufficient amount of energy is selected from electromagnetic conduction, radiant energy and combinations thereof; and a second electrical system for generating electrical impulses with a voltage output ranging from 100-2000 kV, with the pulses having a rise time ranging from 0.05-500 microseconds and a half-value time of 50-5000 microseconds.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for cleaning control particles in a wellbore of a subterranean formation to improve the recovery of formation fluids and/or gases, said wellbore comprising a wall defining a borehole, at least one control equipment arranged into said borehole and a plurality of control particles arranged between said control equipment and said wall, said method comprising the steps of generating at least one shock wave nearby said control equipment and propagating said at least one shock wave through said control equipment toward said control particles for cleaning said control particles.

Abstract: A method for heating oil shale underground in situ. Shale oil and fuel gas can be obtained from an underground oil shale seam in situ, and the fuel gas can also be obtained from an underground coal seam in situ. Wells are drilled downwardly reaching an operation region of an underground oil shale ore bed. Electricity for partial discharge of the ore bed is conducted into electrodes, and a plasma channel is formed in the ore bed and subjected to breakdown by the electricity; after the resistance of each of two electrode regions is lowered, the two electrodes are used for conducting currents into the plasma channel in the oil shale ore bed; the oil shale ore bed is heated under the resistance heating function of the plasma channel; and released heat is used for realizing thermal cracking and gasification of fixed organic carbon in the oil shale ore bed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for stimulating a treatment zone near a wellbore area in fluid connection with at least one porous zone of a subterranean formation, said method comprising the steps of generating (S1a) at least one electrical discharge in said wellbore at a distance from the at least one porous zone in order to propagate at least one shock wave adapted to fracture said treatment zone and introducing (S2a) a chemical agent within said treatment zone for increasing the permeability of said treatment zone.

Abstract: A method for recovering subsurface hydrocarbons, including heavy oil or bitumen, wherein a downhole steam injection phase is followed by application of heat to the near-wellbore region of the reservoir, heat being applied only during periods without steam injection. The heat application can be achieved by any number of techniques including electrical heaters, radio frequency waves, electromagnetic waves and microwaves. Numerous advantages are possible by withholding heat application during the steam injection phase. While preferred for use with cyclic steam stimulation recovery techniques, the method can be applied with other steam-based recovery techniques.

Abstract: Methods and systems for causing reaction driven cracking in subsurface rock formations are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include the following: drilling one or more holes in a substantially porous subsurface rock formation, the one or more holes in fluid communication with pores in the subsurface rock formation; injecting in the pores via at least one of the holes one or more fluids, wherein the one or more fluids include a gas; and chemically reacting the one or more fluids within the pores thereby causing cracking in the substantially porous subsurface rock formation.

Abstract: CO2 scavenging additives having one or more cyanamide functionalities for the reduction of corrosion in subterranean formations are disclosed. The additives are also suitable for the simultaneous scavenging of CO2 and H2S. The additives can be introduced by way of a treatment fluid for the subterranean formation to interact with and reduce the concentration of CO2 and/or H2S in the formation.

Abstract: A fluid latent heat absorption electric induction heater is provided for raising the temperature of a fluid supplied to a fluid-driven turbine in a turbine-driven electric power generation system. The fluid latent heat absorption electric induction heater alternatively transfers heat to the fluid by induced susceptor heating, or a combination of inductor Joule heating and induced susceptor heating. The fluid may be water-steam for powering a steam-driven turbine or another fluid used in a phase change system for driving a fluid-driven turbine in a turbine-driven electric power generation system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for stimulating a treatment zone near a wellbore area in fluid connection with at least one porous zone of a subterranean formation, said method comprising the steps of generating (S1a) at least one electrical discharge in said wellbore at a distance from the at least one porous zone in order to propagate at least one shock wave adapted to fracture said treatment zone and introducing (S2a) a chemical agent within said treatment zone for increasing the permeability of said treatment zone.

Abstract: A heater includes a heater housing with a fuel cell stack assembly disposed therein. The fuel cell stack assembly includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. The fuel cell stack assembly includes a fuel cell manifold for receiving the fuel within a fuel inlet and the oxidizing agent within an oxidizing agent inlet and distributing the fuel and oxidizing agent to the fuel cells. A fuel supply conduit supplies the fuel to the fuel inlet and an oxidizing agent supply conduit supplies the oxidizing agent to the oxidizing agent inlet. A sonic orifice is disposed between the fuel supply conduit and the fuel inlet or between the oxidizing agent supply conduit and the oxidizing agent inlet, thereby limiting the velocity of the fuel or the oxidizing agent through the sonic orifice.

Abstract: A method for treatment of saline-alkali land is provided, comprising at least one self-circulating process, the self-circulating process comprising: step 1, converting saline-alkali water deposited in the saline-alkali land into acidic water by an electrolysis system, whereby the salt content of the acidic water is lower than that of the saline-alkali water; and step 2, leaching the saline-alkali land with leaching water comprising the acidic water. A device for treatment of saline-alkali land according to the above-described method is also provided, comprising: an electrolysis system for converting saline-alkali water deposited in the saline-alkali land into acidic water, whereby the salt content of the acidic water is lower than that of the saline-alkali water; and a leaching system for leaching the saline-alkali land with leaching water comprising the acidic water.

Abstract: A device for processing hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a dielectric cooling liquid source, and an RF applicator in the subterranean formation and coupled to the RF source to supply RF power to the hydrocarbon resources. The RF applicator may include concentric tubular conductors defining cooling passageways therebetween coupled to the dielectric cooling fluid source. At least one property of the dielectric cooling liquid, a flow rate of the dielectric cooling liquid, and a configuration of the cooling passageways may be operable together to generate a turbulent flow of the dielectric cooling liquid adjacent surfaces of the plurality of concentric tubular conductors to enhance thermal transfer.

Abstract: A method of using an electrochemical gas lift apparatus to induce artificial gas lift in a production fluid includes introducing the electrochemical gas lift apparatus into a well bore having a production zone, operating the electrochemical gas lift apparatus such that a combination of hydrocarbon fluid and formation water is introduced into the interior of the electrochemical gas lift apparatus, introducing electrical power to the electrochemical gas lift apparatus such that at least a portion of formation water in the interior of the electrochemical gas lift apparatus converts into product gases, operating the electrochemical gas lift apparatus such that the product gases form product gas bubbles in the interior of the electrochemical gas lift apparatus, and operating the electrochemical gas lift apparatus such that production fluid forms in the interior of the electrochemical gas lift apparatus. The production fluid comprises hydrocarbon fluid, unconverted formation water and product gas bubbles.

Abstract: A method for heating heavy oil inside a production well. The method raises the subsurface temperature of heavy oil by utilizing an activator that has been injected below the surface. The activator is then excited with a generated non-microwave frequency from 0.1 MHz to 300 MHz such that the excited activator heats the heavy oil.

Abstract: Methods for recovering methane gas from natural gas hydrates are provided. A representative method includes the step of adding a gas mixture containing air and carbon dioxide to a natural gas hydrate (NGH), the step of replacing the methane gas with the gas mixture, and the step of decomposition-replacement of methane hydrate.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon resource recovery apparatus for a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein includes a radio frequency (RF) power source, a gas source, and an RF antenna within the wellbore. An RF transmission line extends within the wellbore between the RF power source and the RF antenna and is coupled to the gas source to be cooled and/or pressure balanced by a flow of gas therefrom. At least one of the RF antenna and RF transmission line define a gas lift passageway coupled to the gas source to lift hydrocarbon resources within the wellbore.

Abstract: A method (and system) is provided that enhances production of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation by identifying at least one target interval of the subterranean formation that is in proximity to a pay interval, wherein the at least one target interval has an electrical resistance less than electrical resistance of the pay interval. A plurality of electrodes are placed in positions spaced apart from one another and adjacent the at least one target interval. Electrical current is injected into the target interval by supplying electrical signals to the plurality of electrodes. The electrical current injected into the at least one target interval passes through at least a portion of the at least one target interval in order to heat the at least one target interval and heat the pay interval by thermal conduction for enhancement of production of hydrocarbons from the pay interval.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and method for generation of power that does not generate carbon dioxide in a harmful manner, and/or removes and/or captures carbon dioxide that may otherwise be expelled into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for pyrolyzing organic matter in a subterranean formation includes powering a first generation in situ resistive heating element within an aggregate electrically conductive zone at least partially in a first region of the subterranean formation by transmitting an electrical current between a first electrode pair in electrical contact with the first generation in situ resistive heating element to pyrolyze a second region of the subterranean formation, adjacent the first region, to expand the aggregate electrically conductive zone into the second region, wherein the expanding creates a second generation in situ resistive heating element within the second region and powering the second generation in situ resistive heating element by transmitting an electrical current between a second electrode pair in electrical contact with the second generation in situ resistive heating element to generate heat with the second generation in situ resistive heating element within the second region.

Abstract: A device for recovering hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a ferrofluid source, and an RF applicator coupled to the RF source and configured to supply RF power to the hydrocarbon resources. The RF applicator may include concentric tubular conductors defining ferrofluid passageways therebetween coupled to the ferrofluid source.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a downhole tool, and method of using the downhole tool, for enhancing recovery of heavy oil from a formation. A method for enhancing recovery of heavy oil from a formation includes placing a downhole tool in a first wellbore. The downhole tool has an outer core having at least one ceramic portion and at least one electromagnetic antenna located within the outer core. Electromagnetic radiation is emitted from the at least one electromagnetic antenna to heat the at least one ceramic portion.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns methods for heating a subsurface formation using an electrical resistance heater. Preferably, the subsurface formation is an organic-rich rock formation, including, for example, an oil shale formation. The method may include providing an electrically conductive first member in a wellbore in a subsurface fornation, an electrically conductive second member in the wellbore, and an electrically conductive granular material in the wellbore. The granular material is positioned so as to provide an electrical connection between the first member and the second member. An electrical current is established across the first member, the granular material and the second member so as to generate resistive heat within the granular material. The surrounding subsurface formation is thereby conductively heated so as to cause formation hydrocarbons in the formation to be heated, and in some cases, pyrolyzed to form hydrocarbon fluids.

Abstract: An electrically stimulated electrode system comprises injection and return electrodes and a power supply for causing electrical current to flow through a subterranean formation. An electronic system for the injection electrode includes: a power harvester extracting electrical power from current flowing in the injection electrode, a control for the injection electrode current, a sensor of the injection electrode and/or formation, or a telemetry for the injection electrode and/or formation, or any combination thereof. A sensor comprises: a pair of spaced apart electrodes, a power conversion device connected to the spaced apart electrodes for providing electrical power, and a processor providing a representation of a current.

Abstract: The invention refers to a methodology for the removal of inorganic components such as potassium, sodium, chlorine, sulfur, phosphorus and heavy metals from biomass of different origins, such as from agricultural, forest or urban origin and any mixture therefrom, from low quality coals such as peat, lignite or sub-bituminous and/or bituminous coals, from urban and/or industrial origin residues and wastes, which are possible to include as much organic—>5 wt %—as inorganic—<95 wt %—material and from sludges that are obtained from sewage treatment plants. The method includes the following steps: providing a salt, mixing water with the salt to produce an aqueous solution that contains salt, leaching the raw material with the aqueous solution that contains salt, preferably a salt containing zirconium or yttrium.

Abstract: Production of heavy oil and bitumen from a reservoir is enhanced by cyclic radio frequency (RF) radiation of the well. The invention utilizes RF radiation to introduce energy to the hydrocarbon reservoir in cycles in order to heat the reservoir directly, yet conserves energy over the prior art processes that more or less continuously apply RF or microwave energy. The advantage of cyclic RF is it uses less electricity, and thus lowers operating costs. This is achieved by the soak cycle that allows heat to conduct into the formation and assists the heat penetration that is directly radiated into the formation by the antenna. The invention can also be advantageously combined with cyclic steam stimulation.

Abstract: Provided herein are embodiments for extracting oil from an oil-bearing formation. An embodiment of a method includes heating a first portion of the formation with radio frequency energy generated by a radio frequency generator electrically coupled to an antenna. The antenna is positioned within a wellbore and located within the first portion to heat the first portion to a minimum temperature of about 160° F. The radio frequency generator delivers power in a range from about 50 kilowatts to about 2 Megawatts, and a power per unit length of antenna is in a range from about 0.5 kW/m to 5 kW/m. The method includes extracting the oil from the first portion after heating to create void space for steam injection. The method also includes injecting steam into the first portion to heat a second portion of the formation adjacent to the first portion and extracting the oil from the second portion.

Abstract: An apparatus is for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein. The apparatus includes an RF source, and a magnetic field radiator including a ferromagnetic body having an aboveground portion and a belowground portion coupled thereto. The magnetic field radiator includes a conductive wire coil surrounding the aboveground portion and coupled to the RF source so that an RF current through the conductive wire coil magnetizes the ferromagnetic body and generates a magnetic field from the belowground portion to heat the hydrocarbon resources.

Abstract: A method is provided to produce hydrocarbons from a formation, the method includes the steps of: placing a pair of electrodes within a formation; applying differential voltages between pairs of electrodes wherein the voltage differences between the electrodes is greater than at least 10,000 volts; and producing hydrocarbons from the formation or an adjacent formation wherein the formation has an initial permeability of less than ten millidarcy. The invention also includes an apparatus effective to release pulses of electrical energy into the formation as this frequency and voltage at least until the formation has reached a point where the electrical potential arcs from one electrode to at least one other electrode.

Abstract: An artificial lift device is useful for inducing artificial gas lift in a well bore fluid present in a horizontal well bore system using electrically conductive aqueous solution. The artificial lift device includes an ion exchange membrane, an electrode pair having an anode and a cathode separated by the ion exchange membrane, a sensor operable to detect the presence of solution and a power relay operable to selectively permit the electrode pair to receive electrical power. The artificial lift device is operable to form hydrogen product gas bubbles from hydrogen product gas. A method for providing artificial gas lift using the artificial lift device includes forming a horizontal well bore system having a well boot, introducing the artificial lift device into the well bore system, introducing electrical power to the electrode pair, and operating the device to introduce hydrogen product gas bubbles into the horizontal well bore system.

Abstract: A method of heating stacked pay zones in a hydrocarbon formation by radio frequency electromagnetic waves is provided. In particular, radio frequency antenna array having multiple antenna elements are provided inside a hydrocarbon formation that has steam-impermeable structure. The antenna elements are so positioned and configured that the hydrocarbons in the place where conventional thermal methods cannot be used to heat due to the steam-impermeable structure can now be heated by radio frequency electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: The extraction of hydrocarbon fuel products such as kerogen oil and gas from a body of fixed fossil fuels such as oil shale is accomplished by applying a combination of electrical energy and critical fluids with reactants and/or catalysts down a borehole to initiate a reaction of reactants in the critical fluids with kerogen in the oil shale thereby raising the temperatures to cause kerogen oil and gas products to be extracted as a vapor, liquid or dissolved in the critical fluids. The hydrocarbon fuel products of kerogen oil or shale oil and hydrocarbon gas are removed to the ground surface by a product return line. An RF generator provides electromagnetic energy, and the critical fluids include a combination of carbon dioxide (CO2), with reactants of nitrous oxide (N2O) or oxygen (O2).

Abstract: A plasma source for generating nonlinear, wide-band, periodic, directed, elastic oscillations in a fluid medium. The plasma source includes a plasma emitter having two electrodes defining a gap, a delivery device for introducing a metal conductor into the gap, and a high voltage transformer for powering the plasma emitter. A system and method for stimulating wells, deposits, and boreholes through controlled periodic oscillations generated using the plasma source. The system includes the plasma source, a ground control unit, and a support cable. In the method, the plasma source is submerged in the fluid medium of a well, deposit, or borehole and is used to create a metallic plasma in the gap. The metallic plasma emits a pressure pulse and shockwaves, which are directed into the fluid medium. Nonlinear, wide-band, periodic and elastic oscillations are generated in the fluid medium, including resonant oscillations by passage of the shockwaves.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon resource recovery system for a laterally extending wellbore in a subterranean formation may include a radio frequency (RF) source and an electrically conductive well pipe extending within the laterally extending wellbore. The hydrocarbon resource recovery system may further include an RF transmission line coupled to the RF source and extending alongside in parallel with an exterior of the electrically conductive well pipe within the laterally extending wellbore. The RF transmission line may be coupled to the electrically conductive well pipe to define an RF antenna for heating the hydrocarbon resources within the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plant for extracting hydrocarbons contained in an underground formation including: hydrocarbon tapping; at least one generator; at least one electromagnetic heating well in the underground formation, including an electromagnetic heating device connected to the generator; wherein the electromagnetic heating device includes a radiating coaxial line. The disclosure also relates to a method for extracting hydrocarbons from an underground formation able to be implemented using the plant.

Abstract: A device for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein may include a radio frequency (RF) antenna positioned within the wellbore. The RF antenna may include a superconductive material. The device may include an RF source configured to supply RF power to the RF antenna to heat the hydrocarbon resources.

Abstract: Methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. An alkaline material is also provided to the formation fluid to mobilize organic acids which are produced during oxidation of the kerogen. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and further processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein. These organic acids are valuable as hydrocarbon products for creating commercial products and a portion of these organic acids can also be used in the process for extracting the kerogen-based product from the subsurface shale formation.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation may include injecting a solvent via a wellbore into the subterranean formation while supplying radio frequency (RF) power from the wellbore and into the subterranean formation. The method may also include recovering hydrocarbon resources via the wellbore and from the subterranean formation while supplying RF power from the wellbore and into the subterranean formation.