John S Todd
Architects in Dallas, TX

4084637, Apr 18, 1978

Dec 16, 1976

5/751058

John C. Todd - Dallas TX

Petro Canada Exploration Inc. - ALL OF
Canada-Cities Services, Ltd. - ALL OF
Imperial Oil Limited - ALL OF

E21B 4324

166245

A method of producing viscous materials from subterranean formation comprises a plurality of steps. At least two wells are drilled and completed into the subterranean formation that contains the viscous material. At least one of the wells is completed as an injection well and one of the wells is completed as a production well. A plurality of electrode wells are drilled into the subterranean formation with the plurality of electrode wells being generally arranged in a pattern to define at least one path between the production well and the injection well with the length of the path being substantially greater than the distance between the production well and the injection well. The electrode wells are spaced apart along the path at distances that are substantially less than the distance between the production well and the injection well. Thereafter, a voltage is applied across the adjacent pairs of electrode wells to thereby cause an electrical current to pass through the subterranean formation between each adjacent pair of the electrode wells. As the electrical current passes through the subterranean formation, the viscous material is heated to thereby lower the viscosity of such material.

4446917, May 8, 1984

Mar 12, 1979

6/019579

John C. Todd - Dallas TX

E21B 3602

166 59

Tubing which contains crude oil being moved to the surface is surrounded by concentric sections of pipe at various depths along portions of the tubing. Said concentric sections of pipe contain a porous media incorporating an oxidizing catalyst in the annulus between said pipe and the tubing. A fuel and oxygen containing gas is passed down the tubing/casing annulus and passes through the catalyst bed causing the fuel to burn. The exhaust gas may be passed to the surface or it may enter the crude containing tubing to assist in gas lifting the crude to the surface. The crude is heated by the heated sections surrounding the tubing and by the hot exhaust gases thus reducing the crude viscosity and preventing the building up of wax within the tubing. The catalyst bed may alternatively comprise a single layer of catalyst supporting particles attached to the outer surface of the production tubing string or selected sections thereof.

4237973, Dec 9, 1980

Oct 4, 1978

5/948436

John C. Todd - Dallas TX

E21B 3600

166 59

A catalyst containing steam generator is lowered to the formation to be steamed. A packer is set at the upper extension of the generator to retain the steam. Fuel gas and oxidizing gas are passed through the catalyst which causes combustion within the catalyst bed. Water is passed over the heated tube retaining the hot catalyst bed or through the catalyst bed to produce steam.

4084639, Apr 18, 1978

Dec 16, 1976

5/751057

John C. Todd - Dallas TX

Petro Canada Exploration Inc. - ALL OF
Canada-Cities Services, Ltd. - ALL OF
Imperial Oil Limited - ALL OF

E21B 4325

166248

An improved electrode for electrically heating a subterranean formation includes a plurality of electrically conductive rod-like members that extend outwardly from a central well bore to provide increased area for conducting electrical current from a source into said subterranean formation. The improved electrode apparatus is adapted to be lowered into a well bore which has been drilled into the subterranean formation and, thereafter, the plurality of rod-like members are driven outwardly from the central well bore. Guide means are provided to direct the rod-like members outwardly into the subterranean formation as a central member is forced downwardly.