METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INCREASED DELIVERY OF THERMAL ENERGY FOR HORIZONTAL BOREHOLES Russian patent published in 2016 - IPC E21B43/24 

FIELD: oil and gas industry.

SUBSTANCE: method for increased delivery of thermal energy to horizontal borehole in subsurface through a vertical channel connected to it includes the following: heating of heat-transfer medium in the heater placed at the surface up to temperature within range of temperature exceeding 700°F (370°C) up to temperature equal to 150°F (620°C), pumping of heat-transfer medium from the heater to the vertical channel and downwards through the first column of concentric tubes to heat exchanger placed in horizontal borehole and upwards from heat exchanger to the surface through the second column of concentric tubes, and steam generating in horizontal borehole by delivery of make-up water from the surface to the vertical channel through the third column of concentric tubes to steam chamber placed in horizontal borehole separated by packers and containing the above heat exchanger. Heat exchanger pipe transfers heat of heat-transfer medium to make-up water by injection of make-up water into steam in steam chamber in order to induce heating of subsurface by means of thermal energy added by steam from the steam chamber.

EFFECT: improved quality of produced hydrocarbons, reduced heat loss at steam usage.

15 cl, 8 dwg