Patent ID: 8714239

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, having variable or non-variable orientation along the length of the well, and comprising a plurality of tubular segments disposed therewithin and connected in series along the well length, said method comprising the steps of: a) flowing a substantially non-conductive hydrocarbon-based fluid, as a flowstream, through a designated tubular length that is electrically-isolated from adjacent tubular segments to which it is connected, wherein the non-conductive hydrocarbon-based fluid has a relative permittivity of between 2 and 40, and wherein the designated tubular length comprises a rough-textured surface on at least a portion of its interior surface, wherein the rough-textured surface has an average roughness (Ra) of between 5 μm and 250 μm; b) generating a net, steady-state electrostatic potential between the flowstream and said designated tubular length; 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 designated tubular length; and d) using the electrical energy harvested in step (c) to power one or more devices downhole.