Patent ID: 6360819
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A well heater effective for heating earth surrounding a wellbore from the wellbore, the well heater comprising:a) at least one resistive heating element, the resistive heating element traversing a segment of the wellbore to be heated; b) a plurality of ceramic insulators, each ceramic insulator defining at least one channel through which the resistive heating element passes; and c) a support element connected to at least one ceramic insulator, the support element effective for conducting heat from the ceramic insulator and radiating heat to the wellbore wall, and to support the weight of the resistance element and the ceramic insulators through the connection to the at least one ceramic insulator wherein the ceramic insulators support the resistive heating element by friction between the outside of the resistive heating element and the inside of the channel through which the resistive heating element passes.