Gasbuggy 1973 production testing

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1973

OSTI ID:4311566

Chew, E W; Randolph, P L

The 1973 Gasbuggy production tests were designed to determine what, if any, changes have occurred in the producing characteristics of the Gasbuggy chimney over a four-year period. In May 1973, gas production from the GB-ER well was resumed. A rapid drawdown of the chimney pressure from 736 psig to about 250 psig was completed in 23 d. A total of 71.4 M/sup 2/ ft/sup 3/ of gas was produced and flared in this part of the test. Flow rates ranged from 4.9 to 1.8 M/sup 2/ ft/sup 3/d. The test continued by adjusting the flow rate so that the bottom-hole pressure would remain essentially constant. This part of the test ended on October 23, 1973. Another drawdown to 129 psig was completed on November 8, 1973. The pressures during 1973 production tests approximately duplicate those for the latter portion of the 1969 production tests. The drawdown data indicate that the chimney void volume is about the same as it was in 1969. This observation, in conjunction with the measured tritium content of water produced reveals that the amount of water, if any, entering the chimney since 1969 has averaged less than one-tenth of a gallon per minute. In addition, only amounts of water normal for its vapor pressure at the chimney temperature have been produced with the gas, confirming that the leak from the Ojo Alamo aquifer, which sealed itself in 1969, has not reopened. The radioactive concentrations in the gas have been continuously measured by the El Paso On-Line Monitor System, and by an E.P.A. burner. Maximum tritium and /sup 85/Kr concentrations during drawdown were 0.236 and 0.066 mu Ci/SCF (at 15.025 psia and 60 deg F) respectively. Fresh gas flowing into the chimney region has since reduced these levels. The effect of influx near the top of the chimney was especially noticeable at the end of the drawdown when concentrations decreased by 50%. Tritium concentration in the separated water has remained at about 0.4 mu Ci/ml, equal to the November 1969 level corrected for radioactive decay. Surprisingly the liquid hydrocarbons separated from the gas also contain as much tritium as in 1969, now about 0.1 mu Ci/ml. The constant bottom-hole pressure portion of the production shows that no gross changes have taken place in the formation or in its permeability. Flow rates required to balance gas influx are somewhat less than those of 1969 due to the lower reservoir pressures. Computer modeling is required to accurately assess the results. The chemical composition of the natural gas produced has verified continued flushing of detonation- produced gases from the chimney as expected. Hydrocarbon plus hydrogen content has been 95%, while heating value has varied from 1160 to 1200 BTU/ft/sup 3/. (auth)

• Research Organization: El Paso Natural Gas Co., Tex. (USA)
• NSA Number: NSA-29-024154
• OSTI ID: 4311566
• Report Number(s): PNE-G--85; CONF-731101--55
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*GASBUGGY EVENT-- NATURAL GAS
*KRYPTON 85-- RADIATION MONITORING
*NATURAL GAS-- RADIATION MONITORING
*TRITIUM-- RADIATION MONITORING
FLOW RATE
N42520* --Engineering--Nuclear Explosions--Civil Uses
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RADIOACTIVITY
TESTING