Low temperature monitoring system for subsurface barriers
First Claim
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1. A system for monitoring temperature of a subsurface low temperature zone, comprising:
- 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 portions of the fiber optic cable are positioned in a plurality of freeze wellbores, 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.
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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
24 Claims
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1. 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 portions of the fiber optic cable are positioned in a plurality of freeze wellbores, 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 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. 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 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. 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 (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification