Certain embodiments provide a method that includes placing a heater element in an opening in a subsurface formation. The heater element is in a conduit. A pressure is reduced inside the conduit to a pressure below the vapor pressure of water at the temperature in the conduit.

Certain embodiments provide a heater. The heater includes an inner electrical conductor. A heater section at least partially surrounds the inner electrical conductor. The heater section is configured to generate an electrically resistive heat output during application of time-varying electrical current to the heater section. The heater section includes ferromagnetic material. An outer electrical conductor at least partially surrounds the heater section. An applied time-varying electrical current...

Certain embodiments provide a method for heating a subsurface formation. The method includes applying direct electrical current (DC) to a heater section below a first selected temperature to provide an electrically resistive heat output. The heater section includes one or more electrical conductors electrically coupled to the electrical power supply. The heater section is configured to be placed in an opening in the formation. At least one of the electrical conductors includes ferromagnetic mate...

A method of enhancing oil production from an oil bearing formation includes the steps of providing a first borehole in a first region of the formation and a second borehole in a second region of the formation. A first electrode is positioned in the first borehole in the first region, and a second electrode is positioned in proximity to the second borehole in the second region. A voltage difference is established between the first and second electrodes to create an electric field across the plugg...

Disclosed is a light-sensitive lithographic printing plate which comprises an aluminum plate having a surface subjected to roughening treatment and then anodization treatment and colored by a solution containing a UV absorber so that at an absorption local maximum wavelength between 340 and 450 nm, reflection optical density DS is higher by 0.02 to 0.5 than that obtained when the surface is not colored, and a positive light-sensitive composition layer containing an o-quinonediazide compound and ...

A rig, the rig useful in well operations, the rig having rig structure above the earth, and heat transfer loop apparatus connected to the rig for supplying heat transfer fluid for use on the rig, either from a loop or loops with portion(s) in water or portion(s) in earth, or both.

In an embodiment, a system may be used to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation. The system may include a conduit placed within an opening in the formation. A conductor may be placed within the conduit. The conductor may provide heat to a portion of the formation. In some embodiments, an electrically conductive material may be coupled to a portion of the conductor in the overburden. The electrically conductive material may lower the electrical resistance of the portion of the conductor in the ...

A down hole heating system for use with oil and gas wells which exhibit less than optimally achievable flow rates because of high oil viscosity and/or blockage by paraffin (or similar meltable petroleum byproducts). The heating unit the present invention includes shielding to prevent physical damage and shortages to electrical connections within the heating unit while down hole (a previously unrecognized source of system failures in prior art systems). The over-all heating system also includes h...

Multilayer photoimageable elements, useful for forming lithographic printing members, are disclosed. The elements comprise a support, a top layer, and a chemical resistant underlayer. The underlayer is resistant to aggressive washes, such as a UV wash. In one embodiment, the underlayer comprises a copolymer of N-substituted maleimide, methacrylamide, and methacrylic acid. A process for preparing a lithographic printing member is also disclosed.

A well adapted to transport hot fluids through a permafrost zone comprising a surface conductor, a short section of refrigerated casing adapted to support the upper section of the well without melting of the surrounding permafrost, a surface casing extending through the permafrost, production casing and production tubing. All casing strings are supported in the well so that the upper sections are in compression. Pressure integrity between casing strings is maintained by packing glands in the wel...