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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Comparison of Rotary and Linear Cutting Methodology in Determining Specific Cutting Energy of Granite

Abstract Single polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutting is a practical technique to understand the rock–tool interactions in drag-bit-type geothermal drilling operations. This paper introduces a rotary cutting method to determine specific cutting energy (SCE) and compares it with the conventional linear cutting method. In this work, granite is selected to represent hard rock formations in geothermal drilling. Cutting tests are conducted on a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine with a realistic cutting speed of 12.7 m/min and several chip loads ranging from 0.08 to 0.25 mm. The cutting force is measured using a dynamometer and then converted to specific cutting energy (SCE). The results show that the rotary method produces an inverse relationship between SCE and chip load, whereas the linear method shows the opposite. As a result, the produced SCE by the rotary method tends to be lower than that of the linear method at a higher chip load at and over 0.16 mm. The difference may be attributed to the cutting configuration and associated force components.

Engineering↗
DOE OSTI2019

Enhancing trap and fault seal analyses by integrating observations from HR3D seismic data with well logs and conventional 3D seismic data, Texas inner shelf

An understanding of trap and fault seal quality is critical for assessing hydrocarbon prospectivity. To achieve this, modern analytical techniques leverage well data and conventional industry-standard 3D seismic data to evaluate the trap, and any faults displacing the reservoir and top seal intervals. Above all, geological interpretation provides the framework of trap and fault seal analyses, but can be hindered by the data resolution, quality and acquisition style of the conventional seismic data. Furthermore, limiting the analysis to only the petroleum system at depth may lead to erroneous perceptions because interpreting overburden features, such as shallow faults or gas chimneys, can provide valuable observations with respect to container performance, and can to help validate trap and fault seal predictions. Here, a supplement to conventional 3D data are high-resolution 3D seismic (HR3D) data, which provide detailed images of the overburden geology. This study utilizes an HR3D seismic volume in the San Luis Pass area of the Texas inner shelf, where shallow fault tips and a sizeable gas chimney are interpreted over an unsuccessful hydrocarbon prospect. Static post-drill fault seal and trap analyses suggest that the primary fault displacing the structural closure could have withheld columns of gas c. 100 m high, but disagree with our HR3D seismic interpretations and dry-well analyses. From our results, we hypothesize that tertiary gas migration through fault conduits reduced the hydrocarbon column in the prospective Early Miocene reservoir, and may have resulted from continued movement along the intersecting faults. Overall, this study reinforces the importance of understanding the overburden geology and geohistory of faulted prospects, and demonstrates the utility of pre-drill HR3D acquisition when conducting trap and fault seal analyses.

3D seismic↗
DOE OSTI2020

Gas hydrate quantification in Walker Ridge block 313, Gulf of Mexico, from full-waveform inversion of ocean-bottom seismic data

The Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Joint Industry Project Leg 2 logging-while-drilling data in Walker Ridge lease block 313 (WR313) in the GOM detected gas hydrate in coarse- and fine-grained sediments at sites WR313-G and WR313-H. The coarse-grained units are thin ([Formula: see text]) and highly saturated, whereas the fine-grained unit is thick (approximately 200 m) with low saturation and fracture-filling gas hydrate. Unlike its coarse-grained counterpart, the seismic character of the fine-grained unit does not clearly indicate the presence of gas hydrate, which would likely have remained undiscovered in the absence of drilling. In this paper, through frequency-domain acoustic full-waveform inversion (FWI) of ocean-bottom seismometer data along a 2D multichannel seismic transect near sites WR313-G and WR313-H, we detect and quantify gas hydrate in the fine-grained unit. Key results are as follows: First, the base of the gas hydrate stability zone, which is not obvious in the reflection profile, can be discerned in the FWI results. Second, the gas hydrate in the fine-grained unit is mainly confined to the area between two sets of opposite-dipping normal faults implying that the fault architecture may be partially responsible for this gas hydrate accumulation and distribution.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗
DOE OSTI2018

Casing-integrity mapping using top-casing electrodes and surface based EM fields

Wellbore integrity is of paramount importance to subsurface resource extraction, energy storage and hazardous waste disposal. We introduce a simple non-invasive technology for casing integrity screening, based on the continuity of electrical current flow. Applying low frequency current to a wellhead, with a distant return electrode, produces a casing current dependent on the properties and depth extent of the well casing as well as the background formation. These currents in-turn generate surface electrical fields that can be captured in a radial profile and be used to analyze properties of the well casing. Numerical modeling results reveal a strong relation of the electric field to the casing properties and depth extent of the well. A small breakage in the casing produces a profile coincident to a cased well with a completion depth above the break. A corroded patch, where the casing conductivity is reduced, also alters the field profiles and its depth may be estimated by comparing to the profile expected from the well completion diagrams. The electric field profiles are also strongly dependent on background resistivity distributions and on whether the well was drilled using water or oil-based drilling fluids. We validate the proof of concept in a field experiment, where we applied currents at the wellheads of two wells with different casing lengths. The two profiles were similar in appearance but offset in amplitude by more than a factor of 5, consistent with the theoretical analysis as well as the 3D modeling results. These results demonstrate that our proposed approach has promise for mapping the general casing condition without well intervention. This approach can be a practical and effective tool for rapidly screening a number of wells before expensive logging-based technologies are employed for casing inspection in detail.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Utah FORGE: Well Data for Student Competition

Well 58-32 (previously labeled MU-ESW1) was drilled near Milford Utah during Phase 2B of the FORGE Project to confirm geothermal reservoir characteristics met requirements for the final FORGE site. Well Accord-1 was drilled decades ago for geothermal exploration purposes. While the conditions encountered in the well were not suitable for developing a conventional hydrothermal system, the information obtained suggested the region may be suitable for an enhanced geothermal system. Geophysical well logs were collected in both wells to obtain useful information regarding there nature of the subsurface materials. For the recent testing of 58-32, the Utah FORGE Project contracted with the well services company Schlumberger to collect the well logs.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

EGS Collab/SIGMA-V Testbed-1 well locations and orientations.

The EGS Collab is conducting experiments in hydraulic fracturing at a depth of 1.5 km in the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) on the 4850 Level. A total of eight ~60m-long subhorizontal boreholes were drilled at that depth on the western rib of the West Access Drift. Six of these holes are used for geophysical monitoring, one is used for hydraulic fracturing and the remaining hole was designed as a production borehole. In addition to these eight boreholes, 4 5-m Jack leg boreholes were drilled for housing geophones. This submission package includes well head locations, total lengths of boreholes, their orientations (gyro data). The reported boreholes orientation data were primarily obtained with REFLEX GYRO (TM) survey right after the completion of each hole. Gyro based orientations were later verified and refined with the results of magnetic orientation survey. Well head locations were ascertained by Laser/Lider survey of the drift around the Testbed.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

EGS Collab Testbed 1 Earth Model Input Files

The EGS Collab is conducting experiments in hydraulic fracturing at a depth of 1.5 km in the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) on the 4850 Level. A total of eight ~60m-long subhorizontal boreholes were drilled at that depth on the western rib of the West Access Drift. Six of these holes are used for geophysical monitoring, one is used for hydraulic fracturing and the remaining hole was designed as a production borehole. In addition to these eight boreholes, 4 5-m Jack leg boreholes were drilled for housing geophones. This submission package includes various data type that were assembled to create Earth Models of the testbed. Note: The coordinate system used is local Homestake Mine Coordinate (HMC) system from an old gold mine that was in operation for over 100 years.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Utah FORGE: Updated Phase 2C Well Location Coordinates

Utah FORGE has been established to develop, test, and improve the technologies and techniques required to develop EGS-type geothermal resources. Drilling of the first of two deep deviated wells, 16A(78)-32, will begin in the second half of 2020. This well will serve as the injection well for the injection-production well pair that will form the heart of the laboratory. This submission contains an archive of well location data within the Roosevelt Hot Springs geothermal area. An Excel spreadsheet is included containing updated GPS data for Utah FORGE wells drilled during Phase 2C (56-32, 68-32, 78-32). This data was collected over time by the Utah Geological Survey and contains all coordinates collected and the final averaged XY coordinates in both Longitude and Latitude and UTM Zone 12, NAD83. Elevation is also included. GIS shapefiles with well points are provided in the archive.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Hawaii Play Fairway: Preliminary Core Box Photos, Lanai Island, Hawaii

Photos of core samples from Lanai Island. During the third phase of the Hawaii Play Fairway project, further exploration involved drilling a groundwater well in Lanai's Palawai Basin and performing more geophysical surveys. The project deepened an existing water well on Lanai. Drilling occurred 24/7 the entire month of June 2019 over which time Lanai Well 10 was deepened from 427 m to 1057 m, with continuous core collected. The roughly linear temperature gradient was an average of 42 degC/km, and a maximum bottom hole temperature, 66 degC. This gradient is more than twice the background for Hawaii and within a range of gradients measured in this depth range for some exploration wells within KERZ. The Hawaii Play Fairway project seeks to explore the geologic structures that exist in the caldera region of Hawaiian volcanoes; how those structures influence groundwater storage and flow; and how the magmatic heat from Hawaiian shield volcanoes cools over time. The Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center (Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaii at Manoa) executed the Hawaii Play Fairway project. For more information, go to HGGRC's website that is linked in the resources.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Utah FORGE: Well 16B(78)-32 Logs from Schlumberger Technologies

This dataset is a collection of well logs provided by Schlumberger Technologies from the Utah FORGE well 16B(78)-32 drilling project. Information here includes critical borehole information collected by an ultrasonic borehole imager (UBI) and a fullbore formation microimager (FMI). Well 16B(78)-32 serves as the production well for reservoir creation, fluid circulation, and demonstration of heat extraction for the FORGE project. It has been drilled as a doublet approximately 300 feet parallel to and above the injection well 16A(78)-32. The total depth measured 10,947 feet and the vertical depth measured 8,357 feet.

11.5 inch intermediate casing logs↗
DOE OSTI2023

SSGF Mineral Major Elements and Lithium Concentration

Presented are major element and lithium concentrations of minerals from the Salton Sea Geothermal Field (SSGF), located in the Imperial Valley, California. With a recent increase in demand for lithium, the area is now being studied as a source of geothermal brine for lithium extraction. This study was performed to help quantify lithium storage in the SSGF brine and surrounding minerals. Rocks and brines sampled in this study are from surface rhyolitic domes on the South Eastern shore of the Salton Sea, the sedimentary and evaporitic rocks in the Durmid Hills, rhyolitic drill clippings previously studied by Schmitt & Hulen, commercial drill wells, and CA State 2-14 well.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Well Interference Diagnosis through Integrated Analysis of Tracer and Pressure Interference Tests

In ultra-low permeability reservoirs, communication between wells through connected fractures can be observed through tracer and pressure interference tests. Understanding the connectivity between fractured horizontal wells in a multi-well pad is important for infill well drilling and parent-child well interactions. Inter-well tracer and pressure interference tests involve two or more fractured horizontal wells and provide information about hydraulic fracture connectivity between the wells. In this work, we present a workflow based on combining the analysis of tracer and pressure interference data to obtain the degree of interference between fractured horizontal wells in a multi-well pad. We analyze well interference using tracer (chemical tracer and radioactive proppant tracer) and pressure data in an 11-well pad in the Permian Basin. Changes in pressure and tracer concentration in the monitor wells were used to identify and evaluate interference between the source and monitor wells. Extremely low tracer recovery and weak pressure response signify the absence of connected fractures and suggest that interference through matrix alone is insignificant. Combined tracer and pressure interference data suggest connected fracture pathways between the communicating wells. The degree of interference can be estimated in terms of pressure response times and tracer recovery. An effective reservoir model was used to simulate pressure interference between wells during production. Simulation results indicate that well interference observed during production is primarily due to hydraulically connected fractures. Combined tracer and pressure interference analysis provides a unique tool for understanding the time dependent connectivity between communicating wells, which can be useful for optimizing infill well drilling, well spacing and fracture sizing in future treatment designs.

Kumar, Ashish↗
DOE OSTI2018

Downhole Microseismic Mapping of More Than 400 Fracturing Stages on a Multiwell Pad at the Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site (HFTS): Discussion of Operational Challenges and Analytic Results

The United States Department of Energy co-funded a joint industry project (JIP) in the Midland basin of Texas. The project was conducted in the Wolfcamp formation to better understand the relationships among horizontal lateral placement, production interference between laterals, effectiveness of completion sequences, and hydraulic fracture geometry in unconventional reservoirs. Downhole microseismic data was acquired from more than 400 fracturing stages during the completion project to better understand the generated hydraulic fracture geometries. Eleven horizontal wells were drilled in the upper Wolfcamp (UW) and middle Wolfcamp (MW) formation in the Permian Basin. The 10,000-ft laterals were drilled in a chevron pattern to help improve inter-well fracture communication and maximize hydrocarbon recovery. The completions sequences were planned to restrain fracture height growth upward into a lower-pressure zone using a combination of zipper fracturing and simultaneous fracturing operations. Downhole microseismic monitoring was used to record more than 95% of the planned fracture stages. Downhole tiltmeters were also used to validate upward fracture height growth. Multiple geophone arrays, both vertical and horizontal, were used during this completion; this paper discusses coordination between maintaining completion efficiency and obtaining microseismic data. Additionally, this paper highlights the completion challenges associated with collecting diagnostic data along with results and findings.

Stegent, Neil A.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Hydraulic Fractures in Core From Stimulated Reservoirs: Core Fracture Description of HFTS Slant Core, Midland Basin, West Texas

The geometry and extent of the hydraulic-fracture network produced during well stimulation are generally not well known. Indirect methods such as microseismic monitoring may provide information about the network, but they are not definitive. The Hydraulic Fracture Test Site (HFTS) project was designed to recover core from a stimulated volume, thus providing direct information about hydraulic fractures. Here we present methods and some results from a fracture description of the HFTS slant well cores. Methods: The 4-inch-diameter cores were contained within an aluminum tube and were examined prior to slabbing. We developed criteria for distinguishing between hydraulic, natural, drilling-induced, and core-handling fractures by examining the orientation and surface features of all fractures, making use of a CT scan of the core. Results: More than 700 fractures total were found in 600 ft of core, including hydraulic fractures, two sets of calcite-sealed natural fractures, and drilling-induced and core-handling fractures. Hydraulic fractures were found to be most abundant in the section of core closest to the stimulated wells. Significance: Benefits from an experiment of this type are: (1) Hydraulic fractures are observed directly, allowing fracture density and spatial distribution to be quantified. (2) Twist hackles on hydraulic-fracture surfaces may provide information about the direction of fracture propagation. (3) The degree to which natural, sealed fractures have been reactivated may be assessed. (4) Proppant distribution in the fractures can be examined. (5) Details of the observed hydraulic-fracture network can be used to verify, or provide input data for, models of hydraulic-fracture growth and proppant distribution. (6) Findings can provide ground truth for indirect diagnostic techniques such as microseismic monitoring. (7) Fractures in core and image log in the same well can be compared, and findings used to help calibrate other horizontal well image logs.

Gale, Julia↗
DOE OSTI2020

Multi-Scale Lithofacies and Chemostratigraphic Analysis of Two Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale Wells in Northern West Virginia, USA

The Marcellus Shale Energy and Environmental Laboratory (MSEEL) consists of two project areas within the dry gas producing region of the Marcellus shale play in Monongalia County, West Virginia. MSEEL is a collaborative field project led by West Virginia University, with Northeast Natural Energy LLC, several industrial partners, and sponsored by the US Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory. The study areas are drilled approximately 8.5 miles apart to better understand the vertical and lateral changes in stratigraphy over a short distance. Two vertical pilot wells, MIP-3H and Boggess 17H were drilled in the fall of 2015 and spring of 2019, respectively. Core was recovered from the MIP-3H (API: 47-061-01707-00-00) 112 feet (34m) between depths of 7445 to 7557 feet, and from the Boggess 17H (API: 47-061-01812-00-00) 139 feet (42m) between depths of 7908 and 8012 ft. A full suite of triple combo (gamma ray, neutron, density logs), image logs, and advanced logging tools were run in both wells and calibrated to core analysis. Core analysis includes medical computed tomography (CT) scans, mineralogy and chemostratigraphy determined from handheld X-Ray fluorescence (hhXRF) and X-Ray powder diffraction (XRD) measurements, and determination of total organic content (TOC). Lithofacies were determined at core-scale using traditional core description techniques and medical CT-scan images. Log-scale facies are based on mineralogy and TOC data and developed using petrophysical logging data calibrated to core data (XRD and pyrolysis data). Chemostratigraphic analysis utilized hhXRF data to determine the major and trace element trends in the cores. In the two wells six shale lithofacies were recognized at the core and log scale. Both wells show organic-rich facies (TOC > 6.5%) primarily in the middle and lower Marcellus, with a slight decrease in thickness of this interval in the Boggess 17H. This interval is interpreted as an increase in paleo-productivity (increased Ni, Zn, and V), decreased sedimentation (decreased detrital proxies), and anoxic to euxinic conditions (increased Mo and chalcophile elements). Paleo-redox conditions in both wells are dynamic throughout deposition transitioning between euxinic/anoxic to dysoxic/oxic. This trend is seen through elemental proxies and calcite/pyrite concretion distributions.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Geochronology of Cambrian Sedimentary and Volcanic Rocks in the Illinois Basin: Defining the Illinois Aulacogen

The Wabash #1 well, drilled for the Wabash CarbonSAFE Project and located in Vigo County, Indiana, USA, was drilled in early 2020 as a stratigraphic test well to characterize and evaluate the basal Cambrian Mt. Simon Sandstone for carbon dioxide storage (TD=8750 ft; 2667 m). The Wabash #1 well is located along the eastern flank of a newly interpreted Cambrian aulacogen that occurs in western Indiana and eastern Illinois. Here we present 938 new detrital zircon U-Pb ages (LA-ICPMS) from early Cambrian sandstones sampled near the base of the well. A basalt lava flow was penetrated at ~8530 ft (2600 m) and has an 40 Ar/ 39 Ar age of 525.03 +/- 1.10 Ma, which represents the first known Cambrian crust in the Illinois Basin. The two sandstone samples from beneath the basalt are dominated by zircons derived from the Midcontinent Granite-Rhyolite terrane. The sandstone samples from above the basalt reflect a mixture of these locally derived Mazatzal and Granite-Rhyolite terrane zircons, but also distal Archean, Grenville, and Yavapai zircons. Each sample has small numbers of Cambrian zircons, which is consistent with those in basal Cambrian sandstones in other deep wells to the west. These early Cambrian detrital zircons and early Cambrian age of the basalt, combined with sediment thickness patterns permit the interpretation of the Illinois aulacogen, which formed during the final stage of Rodinian rifting.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Techno-Economic Analysis and Market Potential of Geological Thermal Energy Storage (GeoTES) Charged With Solar Thermal and Heat Pumps into Depleted Oil/Gas Reservoirs and Shallow Reservoirs: A Technology Overview: Preprint

Depleted oil/gas reservoirs represent a waste of underground resources and investments of drilling, and also a potential risk to the earth's environment. Geologic thermal energy storage (GeoTES) is proposed as a solution to convert depleted oil/gas reservoirs into long-term seasonal energy storage. GeoTES can be hybridized with other techniques for viable commercial deployment, such as 1) concentrating solar power (CSP) collectors and 2) heat pumps with excess renewable energy. Here, a technology overview is given on the two GeoTES technologies, which includes system overview, techno-economic models, and case study. Both GeoTES technologies show great potential in the economics of individual project deployment and applicability across the US.

concentrating solar power↗
DOE OSTI2015

Deep Borehole Emplacement Mode Hazard Analysis (Rev. 0)

This letter report outlines a methodology and provides resource information for the Deep Borehole Emplacement Mode Hazard Analysis (DBEMHA). The main purpose is identify the accident hazards and accident event sequences associated with the two emplacement mode options (wireline or drillstring), to outline a methodology for computing accident probabilities and frequencies, and to point to available databases on the nature and frequency of accidents typically associated with standard borehole drilling and nuclear handling operations. Risk mitigation and prevention measures, which have been incorporated into the two emplacement designs (see Cochran and Hardin 2015), are also discussed. A key intent of this report is to provide background information to brief subject matter experts involved in the Emplacement Mode Design Study. [Note: Revision 0 of this report is concentrated more on the wireline emplacement mode. It is expected that Revision 1 will contain further development of the preliminary fault and event trees for the drill string emplacement mode.]

42 ENGINEERING↗