Total says its recent success in the development of 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. CrystaTech is modifying its patented CrystaSulf® hydrogen sulphide removal process to develop the new technology for this downhole application. The new DSR technology relies on the use of physical solvents that absorb and carry the sulphur out of the well bore.

Total is fully 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, which provides excellent economic and environmental benefits. 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.

Tags: CrystaTech, Total