New Adaptive Antenna for RF Heating of Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

Canada owns 13-16% of the world oil supply, but 90% of these reserves are in the form of bitumen, which is as thick as cold peanut butter. This makes bitumen extraction very difficult, if not impossible, without reducing its viscosity. The popular solution is to increase bitumen’s temperature using steam. Sadly, steam strategies can be inefficient and are not always suitable. Radio signals can be used to heat the oil instead, and this approach tends to be more flexible and efficient. Unfortunately, radio frequency heating faces several practical challenges, which stem from changes in the oil reservoir’s electrical characteristics as it is heated. With the assistance of Acceleware Ltd., the proposed project aims to design and test a prototype for new antenna system that overcomes this issue.

Faculty Supervisor:

John Nielsen;Michal Okoniewski

Student:

Partner:

Acceleware Ltd

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Information and cultural industries; Manufacturing

University:

University of Calgary

Program: