Patent ID: 8511373

Claim:
A method of powering devices in a petroleum well through the generation of electrostatic energy downhole, the petroleum well originating at a geological surface and being operable for the production of oil, natural gas, or mixtures thereof, said method comprising the steps of: a) flowing a substantially non-conductive hydrocarbon-based fluid, as a flowstream, through a substantially insulating membrane; b) generating a net, steady-state electrostatic potential between the flowstream and said membrane, wherein the membrane comprises a plurality of flow channels through which the substantially non-conductive hydrocarbon-based fluid can pass, and wherein at least a majority of said flow channels have an effective diameter of at least about 500 nm and at most about 200 μm; c) harvesting electrical energy from the electrostatic potential via a ground electrode in electrical contact with the flowstream and an electrical lead in electrical contact with the membrane; and d) using the electrical energy harvested in step (c) to power one or more devices downhole.