Evaluation of the Susanville California geothermal resource
Twelve exploratory temperature gradient holes have been drilled (bringing the total number of old and new holes and wells to 23), subsurface geologic and geophysical data have been analyzed, and a well test has been conducted. Interpretation of data obtained from well testing, drillers' and lithologic logs and geophysical surveys suggests the presence of a fault-related reservoir of high permeability, shallow depth, limited thickness and limited lateral extent. Temperature contours and profiles suggest the upwelling of fluids on a northwest-trending fault, from where they are dispersed into the reservoir along a highly permeable, fractured agglomerate-basalt interface and fractured volcanic units. Well tests show a high lateral permeability associated with the fractured interface, and porosity values are low, supporting evidence for a fracture-dominated producing aquifer(s). The areal confinement of the anomaly has been established on three sides (west, south, east) to a depth of 200 m. In the southern portion, temperature reversals below an aglomerate-basaltic interface suggest a vertically confined aquifer. Water samples and petrologic data indicate that in the past, fluids of temperatures between 70/sup 0/C and 150/sup 0/C flowed through the fracture system. Computer modeling indicates that a horizontal, regional flow of hot fluids is required to match the observed temprature distribution.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6743742
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-11187
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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CALIFORNIA
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
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WELL LOGGING
DATA ANALYSIS
DRAWDOWN
EXPLORATORY WELLS
GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
LITHOLOGY
MAPS
PETROLOGY
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
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TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
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WELLS
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Geothermal Legacy
150303* - Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology- Exploratory Drilling & Well Logging