A process and system for in-situ electrical heating of a hydrocarbon bearing formation includes a tool capable of being lowered down a well casing. The tool has a plurality of metal arms capable of extending radially within a secondary well casing. Each of the metal arms includes an injection electrode, a bucking electrode, and first and second monitoring electrodes. An insulating member is mounted to each metal arm. The insulating member is arranged and designed to make contact with the casing and prevent the metal arm from directly contacting the casing. A switch is provided that is capable of being electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes of one metal arm at a time. A logging cable having a plurality of wires connected at one end to the switch and a second end to instrumentation at the ground surface. The process for recovering hydrocarbons includes lowering the tool down a well casing to or near the hydrocarbon bearing formation and creating an equi-potential surface over at least the length of the tool and emanating outwardly of the well casing. A heat beam is developed by focusing the current of the injection and bucking electrodes to heat a region containing hydrocarbons, and then recovering hydrocarbons from the production well.