Method of developing subsurface freeze zone
US7516785B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 2007 |
| Grant date | Apr 14, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02C20/40
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method for lowering the temperature of a portion of a subsurface formation is provided. Preferably, the formation is an oil shale formation. The method includes the step of injecting a cooling fluid under pressure into a wellbore, with the wellbore having been completed at or below a depth of the subsurface formation. In one embodiment the wellbore has an elongated tubular member for receiving the cooling fluid and for conveying it downhole to the subsurface formation. The wellbore also has an expansion valve in fluid communication with the tubular member through which the cooling fluid flows. The method then includes the steps of injecting a cooling fluid under pressure into the wellbore, and expanding the cooling fluid across the first expansion valve. In this way, the temperature of the cooling fluid is reduced. The temperature of the surrounding formation is likewise reduced through thermal conduction and convection. In another embodiment, a partially frozen slurry is used as the cooling fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.