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General Project Description: <br />ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company ("URC"), a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil <br />Corporation, has an ongoing research program on the development of in situ oil shale <br />conversion technology. As part of the ongoing research, ExxonMobil is conducting field <br />experiments on its ElectrofracTM process at the Colony Oil Shale Mine. The Electrofrac <br />process involves fracturing the oil shale rock using conventional oil well fracturing <br />techniques, injecting a proppant that conducts electricity within the fractures, and <br />establishing an electrical current within the propped fracture to heat the rock resistively. <br />Project Status: <br />ExxonMobil has advanced its Electrofrac technology by conducting a series of field <br />experiments at the Colony Mine. Specifically, the following results have been achieved. <br />• Under TR-11 to the Colony reclamation permit, Electrofracs EF1 and EF3 were <br />constructed. After installing instruments for the measurement of temperature, <br />voltage, current, and rock movement, EF1 and EF3 were each heated in a "low- <br />temperature experiment" at temperatures up to 140°F. <br />• Under TR-12, EF1 and EF3 were each heated in a "medium-temperature <br />experiment" at temperatures up to 300°F. <br />• Under TR-13 and TR-14, additional water monitoring wells and water drainage <br />holes were drilled. <br />Technical Revision Description: <br />The Electrofrac field experiments at Colony have been successful thus far. Based on <br />these results, ExxonMobil is considering a high-temperature experiment at either EF 1 or <br />EF3. Prior to conducting such an experiment, ExxonMobil would apply for an <br />amendment to the Colony reclamation permit. <br />In preparation for such a high-temperature experiment, ExxonMobil has evaluated <br />options to contain the produced oil and mitigate transport to the underlying aquifer. In <br />this Technical Revision to State of Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board Permit No. <br />M-1980-047, ExxonMobil therefore requests approval to use a pressure grouting <br />technique to isolate either EF1 or EF3 from the aquifer system below it. <br />The "grout curtain" methodology ExxonMobil is seeking to apply is a routine <br />construction practice used for shutting off water flow below dams and around tunnels. It <br />is thought to be most effective at sealing flow through fractures when the country rock <br />has essentially no native matrix permeability. This is the situation for the rocks around <br />and below EF1 and EF3. <br />Specifically, ExxonMobil requests DRMS's concurrence to conduct the following work <br />under this technical revision. <br />Technical Revision Submittal