Total develops downhole regenerable sulphur removal and recovery process

Oct. 28, 2008
Total has developed a downhole regenerable sulphur removal and recovery process called DSR (downhole sulphur recovery) with CrystaTech, a clean energy technology development company headquartered in Austin, Texas.

Offshore staff

AUSTIN, Texas -- Total has developed a downhole regenerable sulphur removal and recovery process called DSR (downhole sulphur recovery) with CrystaTech, a clean energy technology development company headquartered in Austin, Texas.

Under a technology development and commercialization agreement between Total and CrystaTech, the companies are working to develop a regenerable process for the continuous removal and recovery of sulphur depositions in sour gas well bores. The new DSR technology relies on the use of physical solvents that absorb and carry the sulphur out of the well bore, the companies say.

Total is involved in all aspects of the technology development effort, and has decided to move to the pilot unit demonstration phase of the project.

Total plans to use the regenerable technology for the production of very large sour gas reserves. Existing technologies require producers to either shut-in gas production while injecting disposable solvents to clear blocked well bores, or inject non-regenerable solvents on a continuous basis or use chemical regeneration processes.

10/28/2008