Method of developing subsurface freeze zone
First Claim
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1. A method of lowering the temperature of a subsurface formation, comprising:
- (a) injecting a cooling fluid under pressure into a wellbore, the wellbore being completed at or below a depth of the subsurface formation, and the wellbore having a bore formed through the subsurface formation defining a diameter, wherein the cooling fluid comprises a slurry having particles of frozen material,wherein the wellbore comprises an elongated tubular member, the elongated tubular member comprising a U-tube comprising a downward portion through which the cooling fluid flows to the subsurface formation, an upward portion through which the cooling fluid flows back to the surface, and the downward portion is insulated above the subsurface formation; and
(b) circulating the cooling fluid across the formation in order to lower the temperature of at least a portion of the formation to a point that is at or below the freezing point of water.
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Abstract
A method of lowering the temperature of a subsurface formation, e.g., comprising oil shale, includes injecting a cooling fluid under pressure into a wellbore. The wellbore is completed at or below a depth of the subsurface formation, and the wellbore includes a bore formed through the subsurface formation defining a diameter. The cooling fluid comprises a slurry having particles of frozen material. The cooling fluid is circulated across the formation in order to lower the temperature of at least a portion of the formation to a point that is at or below the freezing point of water.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of lowering the temperature of a subsurface formation, comprising:
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(a) injecting a cooling fluid under pressure into a wellbore, the wellbore being completed at or below a depth of the subsurface formation, and the wellbore having a bore formed through the subsurface formation defining a diameter, wherein the cooling fluid comprises a slurry having particles of frozen material, wherein the wellbore comprises an elongated tubular member, the elongated tubular member comprising a U-tube comprising a downward portion through which the cooling fluid flows to the subsurface formation, an upward portion through which the cooling fluid flows back to the surface, and the downward portion is insulated above the subsurface formation; and (b) circulating the cooling fluid across the formation in order to lower the temperature of at least a portion of the formation to a point that is at or below the freezing point of water. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of lowering the temperature of a subsurface formation, comprising:
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(a) injecting a cooling fluid under pressure into a wellbore, the wellbore being completed at or below a depth of the subsurface formation, and the wellbore having a bore formed through the subsurface formation defining a diameter, wherein the cooling fluid comprises a slurry having particles of frozen material; (b) circulating the cooling fluid across the formation via at least one fracture extending from the wellbore in order to lower the temperature of at least a portion of the formation to a point that is at or below the freezing point of water, and (c) injecting low salinity water into at least a portion of the subsurface formation to reduce the natural salinity of the in situ water and to raise the freezing temperature of the in situ water. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification