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Downhole
Heater Cables for Oil Shale Recovery—Composite
Technology Development, Inc., 2600 Campus Drive, Suite D, Lafayette, CO
80026; 303-664-0394
Dr.
Matthew W. Hooker, Principal Investigator, matt@ctd-materials.com
Mr.
Fred L. Beavers, Business Official, fred@ctd-materials.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-05ER84198
Amount:
$749,897
Downhole
heaters capable of long-term high-temperature operation are needed to assist in
oil shale recovery. However,
currently available, mineral insulated (MI) cables are not capable of surviving
the temperature or other downhole environmental conditions encountered in this
application. This project will
develop high-performance downhole heater cables, based on high-performance
composite insulation, to assist in oil shale recovery. In
Phase I, prototype heater cables with composite insulation were produced using a
readily-scalable manufacturing process and their performance was characterized. High-temperature
high-voltage performance was demonstrated for long-term application in the
downhole environment. Phase II will
continue the development of materials and manufacturing processes for the heater
cables. The initial focus will be on
the further optimization of the composite insulation system. Then,
the heater cable fabrication process will be scaled-up to levels suitable for
the commercialization of the composite insulated heater cables.
Commercial Applications and other Benefits as
described by the awardee: It is estimated that the United States possesses
approximately two-thirds of the world’s oil shale deposits. The
new heater cables should allow this valuable resource to be exploited.
These heater cables would be: (1)
capable of extended operation at elevated temperatures, (2) able to withstand
the downhole environmental conditions, and (3) produced using a process that is
scalable to meet end-user production requirements.