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At least 19 records

Interpretation of bottom-hole temperature data from CO 2 injection projects

Although bottom-hole temperature (BHT) data is routinely collected with bottom-hole pressure (BHP) data during CO 2 injection in geological storage projects, it is seldom analyzed in a quantitative manner. However, the BHP and BHT signals do exhibit correlated behavior. This work proposes a practical approach for using BHT data from warmback (no injection) periods, in conjunction with the amplitude of BHP and BHT changes during the preceding injection event, to estimate formation permeability. The methodology is demonstrated using data from the AEP Mountaineer project in USA where CO 2 injection was carried out into a saline aquifer. Estimated permeability values from the proposed approach are in good agreement with those obtained from transient pressure analysis of BHP data from the falloff period.

42 ENGINEERING↗

SECARB Bottom Hole Gravity Data

Borehole gravity measurements obtained during the SECARB project at the Cranfield oil site in Mississippi from CFU31-F2 and CFU31-F3 wells. Data was used to calculate density changes within the Cranfield reservoir and to test borehole gravity performance compared to a variety of other methods for monitoring the injected CO2 plume. Associated Publications: Dodds, K., Krahenbuhl, R., Reitz, A., Li, Y., Hovorka, S. D., 2013, Evaluation of time lapse borehole gravity for CO2 plume detection SECARB Cranfield: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control.

Borehole↗

Combining of different data pools for calculating a reliable POD for real defects

Real defects are essential for the evaluation of the reliability of non destructive testing (NDT) methods, especially in relation to the integrity of components. But in most of the cases the amount of available real defects is not sufficient to evaluate the system. Model-assisted and transfer functions are one way to handle that challenge. This study is focused on a combination of different data pools to create a sufficient amount of data for the reliability estimation. A widespread approach for calculating the Probability of Detection (POD) was used on a radiographic testing (RT) method. The highest contrast to noise ratio (CNR) of each indication is usually selected as the signal in the 'â vs. a' (signal-response) approach for RT. By combining real and artificial defects (flat bottom holes, side drill holes, flat bottom squares, notches, etc) in RT the highest signals are close to each other, but the process of creating and evaluating real defects is much more complex. The solution is seen in the combination of real and artificial data using a weighted least square approach. The weights for real or artificial data were based on the importance, the value and the different detection behavior of the different data. For comparison, the alternative combination through the Bayesian Updating was also applied. As verification, a data pool with a large amount of real data was available. In an advanced approach for evaluating the digital RT data, the size of the indication (perpendicular to the X-ray beam) was introduced as additional information. The signal now consists of the CNR and the area of the indication. The detectability is changing depending on the area of the indication, a fact that was ignored in the previous POD calculations for RT. This points out that a weighted least square approach to pool the data might no longer be adequate. The Bayesian Updating of the estimated parameters of the relationship between the signal field (the area of the indication) and the geometry of the defects is seen as the appropriate model to combine the different defect types in a useful and meaningful way. This work was carried out together with the Finnish company for spent nuclear fuel and waste management - Posiva Oy. The digital RT is one of the NDT methods that might be used for the inspection of the weld of the copper canister to be used for the spent nuclear fuel in the Scandinavian concept of final disposal.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Directional antennas for electromagnetic mapping in a borehole

A bottom hole assembly used for a field operation is disclosed herein. The bottom hole assembly can include at least one directional antenna disposed on an outer surface of a first tubing pipe of a tubing string, where the at least one directional antenna receives a first electric current from at least one power source, where the first electric current generates a first magnetic field that radiates from the at least one directional antenna into a formation. The bottom hole assembly can also include at least one receiver disposed on a second tubing pipe of the tubing string, where the at least one receiver receives the first magnetic field returning from the formation.

42 ENGINEERING↗

UT-GOM2-2 Drilling Fluid (Technical Note)

It is proposed that a salt-saturated, water-based mud might improve borehole stability for UT-GOM2-2 relative to a fresh-water-based mud. However, the primary objective for UT-GOM2-2 is to safely and successfully acquire uncompromised hydrate-bearing sediment cores. This can only be done if conditions stay within the hydrate stability zone, and well away from the hydrate stability boundary. The addition of salt to the drilling mud, shifts the hydrate stability boundary closer to estimated conditions. This shift, by some estimates of pressure and temperature, where conditions now fall outside of the hydrate stability zone, may result in borehole enlargement and the release of free gas into the borehole. This shift by all estimates, even when coring conditions stay inside the hydrate stability zone, shrinks the window between the estimated conditions and the hydrate stability boundary. This shift is likely to compromise the hydrate-bearing cores while they are being recovered from the bottom-hole to the rig floor. In this report we present two examples: 1) Assuming temperature and pressure from in-situ estimates: Hydrate within the target reservoirs (Orange and Blue) at Walker Ridge Block 313 (WR 313) will be outside the hydrate stability zone in the presence of a drilling mud with 9.5 wt.% salinity (the salinity of the proposed 10.5 ppg salt-based mud) at in situ pressure and temperature. Thus, the hydrate will be unstable. A 10.5 ppg salt-based mud may result in dissociation of the hydrate into its components: water and gas. 10.5 ppg salt-based mud may enlarge the borehole, release free gas into the borehole, and compromise the cores. 2) Assuming temperatures equal to the measured LWD borehole temperatures at this location: Hydrate within the target reservoirs will be stable with a salinity of 9.5 wt.% (the salinity of the proposed 10.5 ppg salt-based mud), but possibly unstable (just at the methane hydrate stability boundary) for a salinity of 17.2 wt.% (the salinity of the proposed 13.5 ppg salt-based kill mud). if the borehole has the same temperature as recorded during previous LWD drilling at this location. A 13.5 ppg salt-based kill mud may destabilize the borehole. More importantly, a 10.5 ppg salt-based mud does not provide a large enough window between the estimated conditions and the hydrate stability boundary. Core temperatures and pressures fluctuate from the bottom-hole conditions as the core is brought up from the bottom-hole to the rig floor. These fluctuations are likely to cause the hydrate in the cores to touch or cross the stability boundary. Therefore, cores captured using a 10.5 ppg salt-based mud are likely to be compromised during core recovery to the rig floor.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Low Temperature Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis For The Appalachian Basin: Phase 1 Revised Report November 18, 2016

Geothermal energy is an attractive sustainable energy source. Yet project developers need confirmation of the resource base to warrant their time and financial resources. The Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis of the Appalachian Basin evaluated risk metrics that communicate the favorability of potential low-temperature geothermal energy resources in reservoirs more than 1000 m below the surface. This analysis is focused on the direct use of the heat, rather than on electricity production. Four risk factors of concern for direct-use geothermal plays in the Appalachian Basin portions of New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia are examined individually, and then in combination: 1) thermal resource quality, 2) natural reservoir quality, 3) induced seismicity, and 4) utilization opportunities. Uncertainty in the risk estimation is quantified. Based on these metrics, geothermal plays in the Appalachian Basin were identified as potentially viable for a variety of direct-use-heat applications. The methodologies developed in this project may be applied in other sedimentary basins as a foundation for low temperature (50-150 °C), direct use geothermal resource, risk, and uncertainty assessment. Three methods with which to combine the four risk factors were used. Among these, the averaging of the individual risk factors indicates the most favorable counties within the study area are the West Virginia counties of Monongalia, Harrison, Lewis (dubbed the Morgantown–Clarksburg play fairway), Putnam, and Kanawha (Charleston play fairway), the New York counties of Chemung and Steuben plus adjacent Bradford county in Pennsylvania (Corning–Ithaca play fairway), and the Pennsylvania counties of Mercer, Crawford, Erie, and Warren, and adjacent Chautauqua county in New York (together, the Meadville–Jamestown play fairway). These higher priority regions are surrounded by broader medium priority zones. Also worthy of additional exploration is a broad region near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, for which the available geological data are insufficient to fully analyze the geological risks but yet the population is high. First, to assess the spatial variation in the depth to which one would need to drill to obtain geothermal temperatures that are useful to a future project, the project used bottom-hole temperature data from Appalachian Basin oil and gas exploration. These bottom hole temperature data are abundant but of low quality. Second, the project examined the potential for sufficient water flow rates through rocks to harvest heat from a geothermal well field, considering only natural reservoirs. This analysis provides a very incomplete picture of spatial variability of natural reservoirs because the oil and gas reservoir data lack key properties and are spatially biased toward those locations with profitable amounts of hydrocarbons in the rock pore spaces. Third, in light of the fact that earthquake activity has been induced in several states by subsurface work related to the oil and gas industry, this project examined the potential for similar activity in the Appalachian Basin. Acknowledging that data for such a task are insufficient, we utilized what was available: records of seismic activity, regional estimates of the orientations of stress in the rocks, and locations and orientations of zones of lateral change in rock properties at depths down to several kilometers below Earth’s surface. With these data, we created a first approximation of spatially variable risks for induced earthquakes. Because no data existed with which to test the reliability of these methods, the results have a high degree of uncertainty. Fourth, we examined the spatial variability of the above-the-ground factors that contribute to the economical viability of projects to tap low-temperature geothermal resources for direct-use. We worked principally with population density as a regionally known variable that would impact the cost of district heating. The resulting maps omit the costs of producing the hot water from the ground, because the below-ground costs are directly coupled to the thermal resource risk factor and natural reservoir risk factor – later analyses of those costs will be needed. The result of the district heating analysis is highly skewed: few census locations yielded a low estimated surface cost. The team also identified more than 165 prospects for high value direct-use geothermal energy opportunities such as industrial sites, university campuses, and federal facilities, among others. At the closure of this regional analysis, the most significant technical uncertainties are 1) reservoir distribution and capacities; 2) validity of thermal resource maps, and 3) the holistic estimation of Levelized Cost of Heat for favorable geological situations.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Results of the 2013 UT modeling benchmark obtained with models implemented in CIVA

The 2013 Ultrasonic Testing (UT) modeling benchmark concerns direct echoes from side drilled holes (SDH), flat bottom holes (FBH) and corner echoes from backwall breaking artificial notches inspected with a matrix phased array probe. This communication presents the results obtained with the models implemented in the CIVA software: the pencilmodel is used to compute the field radiated by the probe, the Kirchhoff approximation is applied to predict the response of FBH and notches and the SOV (Separation Of Variables) model is used for the SDH responses. The comparison between simulated and experimental results are presented and discussed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Geothermal Exploration of Newberry Volcano, Oregon

Davenport Newberry (Davenport) has completed 8 years of exploration for geothermal energy on Newberry Volcano in central Oregon. Two deep exploration test wells were drilled by Davenport on the west flank of the volcano, one intersected a hydrothermal system; the other intersected isolated fractures with no hydrothermal interconnection. Both holes have bottom-hole temperatures near or above 315°C (600°F). Subsequent to deep test drilling an expanded exploration and evaluation program was initiated. These efforts have included reprocessing existing data, executing multiple geological, geophysical, geochemical programs, deep exploration test well drilling and shallow well drilling. The efforts over the last three years have been made possible through a DOE Innovative Exploration Technology (IET) Grant 109, designed to facilitate innovative geothermal exploration techniques. The combined results of the last 8 years have led to a better understanding of the history and complexity of Newberry Volcano and improved the design and interpretation of geophysical exploration techniques with regard to blind geothermal resources in volcanic terrain.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Deep Borehole Field Test Research Activities at LBNL

The goal of the U.S. Department of Energy Used Fuel Disposition’s (UFD) Deep Borehole Field Test is to drill two 5 km large-diameter boreholes: a characterization borehole with a bottom-hole diameter of 8.5 inches and a field test borehole with a bottom-hole diameter of 17 inches. These boreholes will be used to demonstrate the ability to drill such holes in crystalline rocks, effectively characterize the bedrock repository system using geophysical, geochemical, and hydrological techniques, and emplace and retrieve test waste packages. These studies will be used to test the deep borehole disposal concept, which requires a hydrologically isolated environment characterized by low permeability, stable fluid density, reducing fluid chemistry conditions, and an effective borehole seal. During FY16, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory scientists conducted a number of research studies to support the UFD Deep Borehole Field Test effort. This work included providing supporting data for the Los Alamos National Laboratory geologic framework model for the proposed deep borehole site, conducting an analog study using an extensive suite of geoscience data and samples from a deep (2.5 km) research borehole in Sweden, conducting laboratory experiments and coupled process modeling related to borehole seals, and developing a suite of potential techniques that could be applied to the characterization and monitoring of the deep borehole environment. The results of these studies are presented in this report.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Low-Temperature Geothermal Geospatial Datasets: An Example from Alaska

This project is a component of a broader effort focused on geothermal heating and cooling (GHC) with the aim of illustrating the numerous benefits of incorporating GHC and geothermal heat exchange (GHX) into community energy planning and national decarbonization strategies. To better assist private sector investment, it is currently necessary to define and assess the potential of low-temperature geothermal resources. For shallow GHC/GHX fields, there is no formal compilation of subsurface characteristics shared among industry practitioners that can improve system design and operations. Alaska is specifically noted in this work, because heretofore, it has not received a similar focus in geothermal potential evaluations as the contiguous United States. The methodology consists of leveraging relevant data to generate a baseline geospatial dataset of low-temperature resources (less than 150 degrees C) to compare and analyze information accessible to anyone trying to understand the potential of GHC/GHX and small-scale low-temperature geothermal power in Alaska (e.g., energy modelers, communities, planners, and policymakers). Importantly, this project identifies data related to (1) the evaluation of GHC/GHX in the shallow subsurface, and (2) the evaluation of low-temperature geothermal resource availability. Additionally, data is being compiled to assess repurposing of oil and gas wells to contribute co-produced fluids toward the geothermal direct use and heating and cooling resource potential. In this work we identified new data from three different datasets of isolated geothermal systems in Alaska and bottom-hole temperature data from oil and gas wells that can be leveraged for evaluation of low-temperature geothermal resource potential. The goal of this project is to facilitate future deployment of GHC/GHX analysis and community-led programs and update the low-temperature geothermal resources assessment of Alaska. A better understanding of shallow potential for GHX will improve design and operations of highly efficient GHC systems. The deployment and impact that can be achieved for low-temperature geothermal resources will contribute to decarbonization goals and facilitate widespread electrification by shaving and shifting grid loads.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Analysis of Geothermal Resources in Three Texas Counties

This project updates the geothermal resources beneath our oil and gas fields, as part of the research for the Texas GEO project. This report "Analysis of Geothermal Resources in Three Texas Counties" (October 2020) improves on previous mapping of the Texas resources for the counties of Crockett (West Texas), Jackson (central Gulf Coast) and Webb (South Texas). Through additional bottom-hole temperatures (BHT), the number of well sites increased from 532 to 5,410 in total for these counties. The improved methodology to calculate formation temperatures from 3.5 km (11,500 ft) to 10 km (32,800 ft) includes thermal conductivity values more closely related to the actual county geological formations, incorporated radiogenic heat production of formations, and the related mapped depth to basement. The results show deep temperatures as hotter than previously calculated, with temperatures of 150 degrees Celcius possible for Webb County between depths of 2.6 - 5.1 km, Jackson County between depths 3.0 - 5.4 km, and Crockett County between depths of 2.7 - 8.0 km.

10 km↗

SECARB Pressure Monitoring Data

Bottom-hole, above zone monitoring interval, and injection zone pressure data collected during the SECARB project in Cranfield, Mississippi to assess the relationship between pressure field and multiphase field. Submission includes 10-second interval data from Detailed Area of Study wells: CFU31-F1 (injector), CFU31-F2 (observation), CFU31-F3 (observation) and Ella G Lees no. 7 (observation) well located west of the DAS. Associated Publications: Joy, C. A., 2011, The effects of pressure variation and chemical reactions on the elasticity of the lower Tuscaloosa sandstone of the Cranfield Field Mississippi, The University of Texas at Austin, Master’s thesis, 97 p. Kim, S., and Hosseini, S. A., 2013, Above-zone pressure monitoring and geomechanical analysis of a field scale CO2 injection, Cranfield Mississippi, Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, doi:10.1002/ghg.1388. Kim, S., and Hosseini, S. A., 2017, Study on the ratio of pore-pressure/stress changes during fluid injection and its implications for CO2 geologic storage: Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, v. 149, p. 138-150, doi:10.1016/j.petrol.2016.10.037. Mathias, S. A., Gluyas, J. G., Gonzalez Martinez de Miguel, G. J., and Hosseini, S. A., 2011, Role of partial miscibility on pressure buildup due to constant rate injection of CO2 into closed and open brine aquifers: Water Resources Research, v. 47, W12525, 11 p., doi:10.1029/2011WR011051. Meckel, T. A., Zeidouni, M., Hovorka, S. D., and Hosseini, S.A., 2013, Assessing sensitivity to well leakage from three years of continuous reservoir pressure monitoring during CO2 injection at Cranfield, MS, USA: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, [insert volume no., page numbers], doi:10.1016/j.ijggc.2013.01.019. Nicot, J.-P., Oldenburg, C. M., Bryant, S. L., and Hovorka, S. D., 2009, Pressure perturbations from geologic carbon sequestration: area-of-review boundaries and borehole leakage driving forces, in Energy Procedia (v. 1, no.1), Proceedings of 9th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, GHGT9, 16–20 November, Washington DC, p. 47–54. Tao, Q., Bryant, S. L., and Meckel, T. A., 2013, Modeling above-zone measurements of pressure and temperature for monitoring CCS sites: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, v. 18, p. 523–530, doi:10.1016/j.ijggc.2012.08.011.

above zone monitoring interval↗

Apparatus for advancing a wellbore using high power laser energy

Delivering high power laser energy to form a borehole deep into the earth using laser energy. Down hole laser tools, laser systems and laser delivery techniques for advancement, workover and completion activities. A laser bottom hole assembly (LBHA) for the delivery of high power laser energy to the surfaces of a borehole, which assembly may have laser optics, a fluid path for debris removal and a mechanical means to remove earth.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Discovery and analysis of a blind geothermal system in southeastern Gabbs Valley, Western Nevada

This study assessed the potential for high-temperature (≥130°C) blind geothermal systems in southeastern Gabbs Valley by employing a geothermal play fairway analysis approach involving integration of geologic, geophysical, and geochemical datasets. Gabbs Valley is a complex, tectonically active basin within the Great Basin on the boundary between the transtensional central Walker Lane domain and extensional Basin and Range province. The termination of the Petrified Springs fault, a major dextral fault of the central Walker Lane, in an array of normal faults indicates that southeastern Gabbs Valley occupies a displacement transfer zone, which is a favorable structural setting for geothermal activity. The displacement transfer zone is a structurally complicated area with many faults of varying geometries, kinematics, and ages. A substantial northwest-trending gravity high within the south-central part of southeastern Gabbs Valley is produced from offsets along concealed northwest-striking dextral-normal faults that intersect strands of north-northeast-to east-northeast-striking normal faults. This area of tightly spaced faults and fault intersections is a particularly favorable structural setting within the broader-scale displacement transfer zone. Multiple lines of direct and indirect evidence suggest the presence of a relatively high-temperature (≥130°C) blind geothermal system in this area, including collocated intersecting gravity gradients, magnetic-low, low-resistivity, and 2-m temperature anomaly. Potentially related, water samples from agricultural wells ~7 km northwest of the 2-m anomaly yield geothermometers indicating subsurface fluid temperatures of 130-140°C. Six temperature-gradient holes were drilled to target the extent of the shallow-temperature and geophysical anomalies to define the geothermal system in southeastern Gabbs Valley. Two wells contained high temperatures exceeding boiling with bottom-hole temperatures ii of 114.5°C and 124.9°C, respectively, and the remaining wells displayed elevated to background temperatures ranging from 79.2°C to 28.7°C. The observed temperature gradients for the two hottest drill holes necessitate drill-hole intercepts of convecting hydrothermal fluids. The 2-m survey is spatially and thermally consistent with the temperature-gradient holes and constrains the core of upflow at a shallow depth interval (<250m) to an area <0.5-1 km west-southwest of the hottest drill hole. The zone of inferred upwelling occupies the area corresponding to the center of the magnetic-low. This project has several significant implications. The newly discovered blind geothermal system in southeastern Gabbs Valley may be capable of supporting a binary-type geothermal power plant. This detailed study provides an initial validation of the play fairway approach to geothermal exploration. It also demonstrates both the broad applicability of the play fairway exploration strategy and the large untapped potential for commercial-grade blind geothermal systems in many of the basins in the Great Basin region.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Methods and apparatus for removal and control of material in laser drilling of a borehole

The removal of material from the path of a high power laser beam during down hole laser operations including drilling of a borehole and removal of displaced laser effected borehole material from the borehole during laser operations. In particular, paths, dynamics and parameters of fluid flows for use in conjunction with a laser bottom hole assembly.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Methods and apparatus for removal and control of material in laser drilling of a borehole

The removal of material from the path of a high power laser beam during down hole laser operations including drilling of a borehole and removal of displaced laser effected borehole material from the borehole during laser operations. In particular, paths, dynamics and parameters of fluid flows for use in conjunction with a laser bottom hole assembly.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

West Flank Coso FORGE: 3D Temperature Model

x,y,z data of the 3D temperature model for the West Flank Coso FORGE site. Model grid spacing is 250m. The temperature model for the Coso geothermal field used over 100 geothermal production sized wells and intermediate-depth temperature holes. At the near surface of this model, two boundary temperatures were assumed: (1) areas with surface manifestations, including fumaroles along the northeast striking normal faults and northwest striking dextral faults with the hydrothermal field, a temperature of ~104 deg C was applied to datum at +1066 meters above sea level elevation, and (2) a near-surface temperature at about 10 meters depth, of 20 deg C was applied below the diurnal and annual conductive temperature perturbations. These assumptions were based on heat flow studies conducted at the CVF and for the Mojave Desert. On the edges of the hydrothermal system, a 73 deg C/km temperature gradient contour was established using conductive gradient data from shallow and intermediate-depth temperature holes. This contour was continued to all elevation datums between the 20 deg C surface and -1520 meters below mean sea level. Because the West Flank is outside of the geothermal field footprint, during Phase 1, the three wells inside the FORGE site were incorporated into the preexisting temperature model. To ensure a complete model was built based on all the available data sets, measured bottom-hole temperature gradients in certain wells were downward extrapolated to the next deepest elevation datum (or a maximum of about 25% of the well depth where conductive gradients are evident in the lower portions of the wells). After assuring that the margins of the geothermal field were going to be adequately modelled, the data was contoured using the Kriging method algorithm. Although the extrapolated temperatures and boundary conditions are not rigorous, the calculated temperatures are anticipated to be within ~6 deg C (20 deg F), or one contour interval, of the observed data within the Coso geothermal field. Based on a lack of temperature data west of 74-2TCH, the edges of this model still seem to have an effect on West Flank modeled temperatures.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗