Patent ID: 9464513
Filing Date: 2016-10-11
CPC Classification: E21B

Claim Text:
1. A heating system for a subterranean mineral formation, the heating system comprising: a casing positioned in a bore in the subterranean mineral formation, the casing having a longitudinal axis, an outer surface and an inner surface; a heating element positioned within the casing; wherein the casing is at least partially immersed in a boiling fluid in the bore of the subterranean mineral formation, wherein the boiling fluid enhances heat transfer from the outer surface of the casing to the subterranean mineral formation; and a plurality of fins on the outer surface of the casing extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein each of the plurality of fins includes unobstructed gaps formed at longitudinal intervals; wherein a length of the longitudinal intervals for a first fin of the plurality of fins are substantially the same as, but offset longitudinally from, the length of the longitudinal intervals of a radially adjacent second fin of the plurality of fins.