Patent ID: 7145341
Filing Date: 2006-12-05
Classification: G01V,Y02A

Abstract:
1. A method for recovering a volume of hydrocarbons from a reservoir stratum covered by S meters of overburden and having an approximate geometry and location that are known comprising, using a source to transmit a transmitted electromagnetic wave from a location that is at least S meters distant from the reservoir stratum, with the transmitted electromagnetic wave having a wavelength of at least 0.1S and no more than 5S; using a receiver to receive signals created by the transmitted electromagnetic wave; analyzing the received signals for electromagnetic wave refraction signals to detect the presence of a hydrocarbon volume or water volume in the reservoir stratum; and, after detecting the presence of a hydrocarbon volume, producing the hydrocarbon volume from the reservoir stratum; wherein the source is used to transmit the transmitted electromagnetic wave as a polarized transmitted electromagnetic wave, and the source further includes a dipole antenna to transmit an E-field component of the polarized transmitted electromagnetic wave such that the E-field component is approximately directed along a line between the antenna and the receiver.