Barrier methods for use in subsurface hydrocarbon formations

• US 9,127,523 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2011
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Inventors: Deeg, Wolfgang Friedrich Johann, Geilikman, Mikhail Boris, Mody, Fersheed Khodadad
• Primary Examiner(s): ANDREWS, DAVID L
• Application Number:
  US13/083,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20110247802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• Field of Search: 166/245, 166/52, 166/302, 166/272.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 36/001 Cooling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/24 using heat, e.g. steam injection
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/30 Specific pattern of wells, e.g. optimising the spacing of wells

Abstract

Methods and systems for establishing a double barrier around at least a portion of a subsurface treatment area in a hydrocarbon containing formation are disclosed. First barrier wells may be used to form a first barrier around a portion of the subsurface treatment area. Second barrier wells may be used to form a second barrier around the first barrier. A space may exist between the first barrier and the second barrier. The first barrier and second barrier may be inhibited from forming a single combined barrier by the injection, and in some cases circulation, of fluids such as saline water.

Claims

1. A method of establishing a double barrier around at least a portion of a subsurface treatment area in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:

forming a plurality of first barrier wells in the formation;

using at least a portion of the plurality of first barrier wells to form a first barrier around at least a portion of the subsurface treatment area;

forming a plurality of second barrier wells in the formation;

using at least a portion of the plurality of second barrier wells to form a second barrier around the first barrier, wherein a space exists between the first barrier and the second barrier; and

injecting a fluid into at least a portion of the space between the first barrier and the second barrier to inhibit one or more portions of the first barrier and second barrier from forming a single combined barrier, wherein the fluid comprises liquid water and at least one additive.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first barrier wells are freeze wells.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second barrier wells are freeze wells.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the additive comprises salt.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the water comprises water obtained from a natural source.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing heat to the space between the first barrier and the second barrier.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

forming a plurality of heater wells in the space between the first barrier and the second barrier; and

providing heat to the space between the first barrier and the second barrier.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first barrier and/or the second barrier are adjacent one or more substantially impermeable zones.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring at least a portion of the space between the first barrier and the second barrier to monitor the integrity of the first barrier and/or the second barrier.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming one or more barrier segments between the first barrier and the second barrier to section the space between the first barrier and the second barrier into different sections.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring one or more of the portions to monitor the integrity of the first barrier and/or the second barrier.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating hydrocarbons in the subsurface treatment area.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the space comprises saline, and wherein the method comprises reducing salinity of water in the space between the first barrier and the second barrier.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first barrier and/or the second barrier comprises a frozen barrier formed using freeze wells to freeze at least a portion of the subsurface area.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising first forming the first barrier by freezing one or more subsurface areas, and then forming the second barrier using equipment initially used to form the first barrier.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising first forming the second barrier by freezing subsurface areas, and then forming the first barrier using equipment initially used to form the second barrier.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising circulating the fluid through the space between a first wellbore and a second wellbore.

18. A barrier system for a subsurface treatment area in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:

a first barrier formed around at least a portion of the subsurface treatment area, the first barrier configured to inhibit fluid from exiting or entering the subsurface treatment area;

a second barrier formed around at least a portion of the first barrier, wherein a space exists between the first barrier and the second barrier; and

an injection system configured to circulate a fluid between a first wellbore and a second wellbore in the space such that, during use, the fluid inhibits one or more portions of the first barrier and second barrier from forming a single combined barrier, wherein the fluid comprises water and at least one additive.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the additive comprises salt.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the injection system is configured to provide heat to the space between the first barrier and the second barrier.

21. The system of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of heater wells in the space between the first barrier and the second barrier, wherein at least a portion of the heater wells provide heat to the space between the first barrier and the second barrier.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the first barrier and/or the second barrier are joined with one or more substantially impermeable zones.

23. The system of claim 18, further comprising at least one monitor well in the space between the first barrier and the second barrier, wherein the monitor well is configured to monitor integrity of the first barrier and/or the second barrier.

24. The system of claim 18, further comprising one or more monitor wells positioned in the space between the first barrier and the second barrier, wherein an opening of a first monitor well of the monitor wells is at a depth corresponding to a first aquifer zone, and wherein an opening of a second monitor well of the monitor wells is at a depth corresponding to a second aquifer zone.

25. The system of claim 18, further comprising a first monitor well in the space between the first barrier and the second barrier, and a second monitor well located outside of the second barrier, wherein the first monitor well and the second monitor well are configured to monitor integrity of the second barrier.

26. The system of claim 18, further comprising barrier segments formed between the first barrier and the second barrier, wherein the barrier segments are configured to section the space between the first barrier and the second barrier.

27. The system of claim 18, further comprising a first monitor well in one or more of the portions to monitor, during use, the integrity of the first barrier and/or the second barrier.

28. The system of claim 18, wherein the injection system is configured to circulate liquid water between the first wellbore and the second wellbore.