Wax barrier for use with in situ processes for treating formations

A method of providing at least a partial barrier for a subsurface formation, comprising:

• providing a fluid comprising liquefied wax a plurality of openings in the formation, the fluid having a solidification temperature that is greater than the temperature of the portion of the formation in which the barrier to desired to be formed;
• pressurizing the liquefied fluid such that at least a portion of the liquefied fluid flows into the formation;
• and
• allowing the fluid to solidify to form at least a partial barrier in the formation.

A method of inhibiting migration of formation fluid including hydrocarbons in one or more permeable portions of a subsurface formation, comprising:

• using heaters to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation above a melting temperature of a material including wax, wherein the portion includes at least some of the one or more permeable portions adjacent to injection wells in the formation;
• introducing molten material into the formation through one or more of the injection wells, wherein the molten material enters permeable portions of the formation;
• and
• allowing the molten material to cool in the formation and congeal to form a barrier that inhibits migration of the formation fluid.

A method of forming a wellbore in a formation through at least two permeable zones, comprising:

• drilling a first portion of the wellbore to a depth between a first permeable zone and a second permeable zone;
• heating a portion of the formation adjacent to the first permeable zone to a temperature above the melting temperature of a first fluid comprising wax;
• introducing the first fluid through the wellbore into the first permeable zone, wherein a portion of the first fluid enters the first permeable zone and congeals in the first permeable zone to form a first barrier;
• and
• drilling a second portion of the wellbore through a second permeable zone to a desired depth.