Methods for indication of at least one subsurface barrier characteristic and methods of use

Patent · Tue Jun 26 04:00:00 EDT 2007

OSTI ID:909712

Richardson, John G ^[1]; Nickelson, Reva A ^[2]; Sloan, Paul A ^[3]; Kostelnik, Kevin M ^[1]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID
2. Shelley, ID
3. Rigby, ID

A containment system for use adjacent to a selected region of a subterranean formation and comprising a plurality of laterally interlocked casing strings. At least one electrically conductive element is disposed along at least a portion of a casing string and is used for performing electrical time domain reflectometry. At least one protective element may be positioned between portions of adjacent casing strings of the barrier, and at least one electrically conductive element may be disposed at least partially within the at least one protective element for use in indicating at least one characteristic of at least a portion of the containment system. Electrical time domain reflectometry (TDR) may be used to indicate the at least one characteristic; for instance, TDR may be used to indicate leakage through the barrier or a discontinuity or void in a barrier filler material.

• Research Organization: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Sponsoring Organization: United States Department of Energy
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-99ID13727; AC07-05ID14517
• Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Patent Number(s): 7,234,895
• Application Number: 11/397,508
• OSTI ID: 909712
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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