Radioactive waste repository systems and methods

Abstract

A hazardous material repository includes a drillhole formed from a terranean surface into a subterranean zone that includes a geologic formation, where the drillhole includes a vertical portion and a non-vertical portion coupled to the vertical portion by a transition portion, the non-vertical portion includes a storage volume for hazardous waste; a casing installed between the geologic formation and the drillhole, the casing including one or more metallic tubular sections; at least one canister positioned in the storage volume of the non-vertical portion of the drillhole, the at least one canister sized to enclose a portion of hazardous material and including an outer housing formed from a non-corrosive metallic material; and a backfill material inserted into the non-vertical portion of the drillhole to fill at least a portion of the storage volume between the at least one canister and the casing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hazardous material repository, comprising:
 a drillhole formed from a terranean surface into a subterranean zone that comprises a geologic formation, the drillhole comprising a vertical portion and a non-vertical portion coupled to the vertical portion by a transition portion, the non-vertical portion comprises a storage volume for hazardous waste;   a casing installed between the geologic formation and the drillhole, the casing comprising one or more metallic tubular sections;   at least one canister positioned in the storage volume of the non-vertical portion of the drillhole, the at least one canister sized to enclose a portion of hazardous material and comprising an outer housing formed from a non-corrosive metallic material; and   a backfill material inserted into the non-vertical portion of the drillhole to fill at least a portion of the storage volume between the at least one canister and the casing.