Patent ID: 8485254
Filing Date: 2013-07-16
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method for the in situ extraction of bitumen or very heavy oil from oil sand seams close to the Earth's surface where thermal energy is introduced into the seam to reduce a viscosity of the bitumen or very heavy oil, the method comprising: providing an extraction pipe to extract the liquefied bitumen or very heavy oil; providing an injection pipe to introduce thermal energy; introducing water into the seam; heating the water; and evaporating the water in the seam using electrical heating, wherein the extraction pipe and the injection pipe are routed in a parallel manner, wherein water is used instead of steam as a thermal medium, wherein a conductor loop is used for inductive energization to evaporate the water introduced into the seam, wherein the method further comprises electrically connecting a first end of an electrode to a second end of the injection pipe for inductive heating purposes, wherein the injection pipe and the extraction pipe run horizontally one on top of the other in the seam and form a pipe pair, and wherein at least a first pipe pair and a second pipe pair are provided, the distance between the first and second pipe pairs being between 50 m and 200 m.