Low temperature monitoring system for subsurface barriers
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring temperature of a subsurface low temperature zone is described. The system includes a plurality of freeze wells configured to form the low temperature zone, one or more lasers, and a fiber optic cable coupled to at least one laser. A portion of the fiber optic cable is positioned in at least one freeze well. At least one laser is configured to transmit light pulses into a first end of the fiber optic cable. An analyzer is coupled to the fiber optic cable. The analyzer is configured to receive return signals from the light pulses.
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Citations
812 Claims
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1-786. -786. (canceled)
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787. A system for monitoring temperature of a subsurface low temperature zone, comprising:
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a plurality of freeze wells configured to form the low temperature zone;
one or more lasers;
a fiber optic cable coupled to at least one laser, wherein a portion of the fiber optic cable is positioned in at least one freeze well, and wherein at least one laser is configured to transmit light pulses into a first end of the fiber optic cable; and
an analyzer coupled to the fiber optic cable, the analyzer configured to receive return signals from the light pulses. - View Dependent Claims (788, 789, 790, 791, 792, 793, 794, 795, 796)
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797. A method of monitoring temperature of a low temperature subsurface barrier, comprising:
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transmitting light through a fiber optic cable positioned in a plurality of wellbores used to form the subsurface low temperature barrier; and
analyzing one or more returned signals from the fiber optic cable with an analyzer to assess a temperature profile along the fiber optic cable. - View Dependent Claims (798, 799, 800, 801, 802, 803, 804)
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805. A method to locate a breach in a frozen barrier, the frozen barrier comprising a plurality of wellbores containing fiber optic cables and through which the frozen barrier is created by circulation of a refrigerant, the method comprising:
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discontinuing circulation of the refrigerant;
assessing temperature profiles of the wellbores based on information obtained from the fiber optic cables after circulation has ceased; and
determining the location of a breach by analysis of the temperature profiles. - View Dependent Claims (806, 807, 808, 809, 810)
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811. A composition comprising hydrocarbons, wherein the hydrocarbons are produced from a subsurface formation at least partially surrounded by a low temperature subsurface barrier, wherein monitoring a temperature of the low temperature subsurface barrier comprises transmitting light through a fiber optic cable positioned in a plurality of wellbores of low temperature wells used to form the subsurface low temperature barrier;
- and analyzing one or more returned signals from the fiber optic cable with an analyzer to assess a temperature profile along the fiber optic cable.
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812-1065. -1065. (canceled)
Specification