Results from geopressured-geothermal subsidence studies
Benchmark networks have been installed around each of the US Department of Energy geopressured-geothermal test sites in southwestern Louisiana. These networks are periodically surveyed to detect subsidence which may be attributable to depressurization of the geopressured-geothermal reservoirs. The acquired leveling data have been adjusted to account for regional base-line movement determined in another study. The effects of geopressured-geothermal development can only be assessed after carefully examining other potential causes of subsidence. The histories of oil and gas production and ground-water withdrawal around the geopressured-geothermal test site at Parcperdue indicate that oil, gas, and ground-water production may contribute much more to anomalous subsidence than recent geopressured-geothermal brine production. A trend-surface analysis of leveling data for the Parcperdue test site allowed for the separation of a regional component of movement attributable to uplift in the Iberian structural axis to the east and subsidence above a Pleistocene depocenter to the west of the test site. Residual deviations from the regional trend may be associated with the temporary loading and compaction of surface soils caused by the weight of drilling equipment and with ground-water withdrawal.
- Research Organization:
- Louisiana Geological Survey, Baton Rouge (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC08-81NV10174
- OSTI ID:
- 6801775
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/NV/10174-T1; ON: DE84016279
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Subsidence measurements around geopressured-geothermal test sites in southwestern Louisiana
Subsidence measurements around geopressured-geothermal test sites in southwestern Louisiana