Developments in West Coast area in 1978
New-field discoveries in the West Coast area were down in 1978 from the previous year, although the total exploratory footage drilled was significantly higher and the total number of successful exploratory wells in California was up 12% from 1977. One new oil field and 6 new gas field discoveries were reported in California. None of these discoveries appear to be of major size and 1 gas field discovery was subsequently abandoned. Mobil commenced drilling a deep test in Oregon in 1978 on their large land block in the Willamette Valley. The well has subsequently been abandoned. No drilling activity was reported in Washington. Development drilling in California, although down from 1977, continued at an active pace and is related largely to steam-flood projects. Production of oil outstripped additions to reserves by 164 million bbl in 1978. Geothermal development drilling continued at The Geysers and in the Imperial Valley. The geothermal discovery well by McCulloch of the South Brawley field in the Imperial Valley is the deepest geothermal well drilled in California. This well may open a broad new area for deep fracture production. The first Imperial Valley geothermal power plant will begin generating electricity this year and 6 more plants are in various stages of design and construction throughout the valley. The Geysers capacity is expected to increase to 1238 MW by the end of 1982. 5 figures, 3 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Chevron USA Inc., San Francisco, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 5631183
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States), Vol. 63:8
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Oil and gas developments in West Coast area in 1982. [Canada, Oregon, Washington]
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Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
CALIFORNIA
EXPLORATORY WELLS
NATURAL GAS FIELDS
OIL FIELDS
IMPERIAL VALLEY
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
DRILLING
ELECTRIC POWER
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
GEYSERS GEOTHERMAL FIELD
OREGON
RESERVES
WASHINGTON
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NORTH AMERICA
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
RESOURCES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA
WELLS
WESTERN REGION
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
030200 - Natural Gas- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
150801 - Geothermal Power Plants- Design & Operation