Double barrier system for an in situ conversion process
AssigneeShell Oil Company
InventorsBilly John McKinzie, Harold J. Vinegar, Kenneth Michael Cowan, Wolfgang Friedrich Johann Deeg, Sau-Wai Wong
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Abstract
A barrier system for a subsurface treatment area is described. The barrier system includes a first barrier formed around at least a portion of the subsurface treatment area. The first barrier is configured to inhibit fluid from exiting or entering the subsurface treatment area. A second barrier is formed around at least a portion of the first barrier. A separation space exists between the first barrier and the second barrier.
Claims23
A barrier system for a subsurface treatment area, 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 to form an inter-barrier zone between the first barrier and the second barrier;
- and
- one or more monitor wells positioned in the inter-barrier zone configured to monitor fluid level in the inter-barrier zone, wherein the fluid level in the inter-barrier zone is used to determine if a breach of the first barrier occurs.
A method of establishing a double barrier around at least a portion of a subsurface treatment area, comprising:
- forming a first barrier around at least a portion of the subsurface treatment area;
- forming a second barrier around the first barrier, wherein an inter-barrier zone exists between the first barrier and the second barrier;
- and
- forming monitor wells in the inter-barrier zone, wherein fluid level in one or more of the monitor wells is used to monitor integrity of the first barrier.
A method, comprising:
- removing water from a subsurface treatment area surrounded by a first barrier;
- adjusting pressure in an aquifer zone in a space between the first barrier and a second barrier that surrounds the first barrier so that the pressure in the aquifer zone in the space is less than the pressure in the aquifer zone on the outside of the second barrier;
- and
- monitoring the pressure in the aquifer zone in the space to determine if a breach in the first or the second barrier has occurred.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.