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Abstract

The present invention is a method and apparatus for enhanced recovery of petroleum fluids from the subsurface by electrical resistive heating of the oil sand formation and the heavy oil and bitumen in situ, by electrically energizing vertical inclusion planes containing electrically conductive proppant. The inclusion is propagated into a portion of the formation having a Skempton's B parameter of greater than 0.95 exp(−0.04 p′)+0.008 p′, where p′ is a mean effective stress in MPa at the depth of the inclusion. Multiple propped vertical inclusions at various azimuths are constructed from the well. Electrodes are placed in the well in electrical contact with the inclusions and an alternating direction current is passed through the proppant. By electrically resistive heating of the inclusion, the formation is heated by conduction and associated hydrocarbon fluids are lowered in viscosity and drain by gravity back to the well and produced to the surface. By controlling the reservoir temperature and pressure, a particular fraction of the in situ hydrocarbon reserve is extracted and water inflow into the heated zone is minimized.

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First Claim