Title: Sulfur barrier for use with in situ processes for treating formations

Abstract

Methods for forming a barrier around at least a portion of a treatment area in a subsurface formation are described herein. Sulfur may be introduced into one or more wellbores located inside a perimeter of a treatment area in the formation having a permeability of at least 0.1 darcy. At least some of the sulfur is allowed to move towards portions of the formation cooler than the melting point of sulfur to solidify the sulfur in the formation to form the barrier.

Inventors:

Vinegar, Harold J ^[1]; Christensen, Del Scot ^[2]

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+ Show Inventor Affiliations

1. Bellaire, TX
2. Friendswood, TX

Issue Date:

Tue Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2009

Research Org.:

Shell Oil Company (Houston, TX)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1013691

Patent Number(s):

7631689

Application Number:

US Patent Application 11/788,861

Assignee:

Shell Oil Company (Houston, TX)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B32 - LAYERED PRODUCTS B32B - LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM

C - CHEMISTRY C21 - METALLURGY OF IRON C21D - MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B32 - LAYERED PRODUCTS B32B - LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM

B32B1/08 - Tubular products
B32B15/013 - {one layer being formed of an iron alloy or steel, another layer being formed of a metal other than iron or aluminium}
B32B15/015 - {the said other metal being copper or nickel or an alloy thereof}
B32B2307/202 - Conductive
B32B2307/208 - Magnetic, paramagnetic
B32B9/002 - {comprising natural stone or artificial stone}
B32B9/045 - {of synthetic resin}

C - CHEMISTRY C21 - METALLURGY OF IRON C21D - MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS

C21D2211/001 - Austenite
C21D2211/004 - Dispersions
C21D2211/005 - Ferrite
C21D6/002 - {containing Cr
C21D6/007 - {containing Co}

C - CHEMISTRY C22 - METALLURGY C22C - ALLOYS

C22C38/02 - containing silicon
C22C38/04 - containing manganese
C22C38/10 - containing cobalt
C22C38/12 - containing tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, vanadium, or niobium
C22C38/14 - containing titanium or zirconium
C22C38/24 - with vanadium
C22C38/28 - with titanium or zirconium
C22C38/30 - with cobalt

E - FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS E21 - EARTH DRILLING E21B - EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING

E21B36/04 - using electrical heaters
E21B43/2401 - {by means of electricity}

G - PHYSICS G05 - CONTROLLING G05F - SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES

G05F1/10 - Regulating voltage or current

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10S - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

Y10S166/902 - for inhibiting corrosion or coating

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC05-00OR22725

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE