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Sulfur barrier for use with in situ processes for treating formations

  • US 7,631,689 B2
  • Filed: 04/20/2007
  • Issued: 12/15/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2006
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of forming a barrier in a formation, comprising:

  • heating a portion of a formation adjacent to a plurality of wellbores to raise a temperature of the formation adjacent to the wellbores above a melting temperature of sulfur and below a pyrolysis temperature of hydrocarbons in the formation;

    introducing molten sulfur into at least some of the wellbores; and

    allowing the sulfur to move outwards from the wellbores towards portions of the formation cooler than the melting temperature of sulfur so that the sulfur solidifies in the formation to form a barrier.

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