Basic data report for drillhole WIPP 11 (Waste Isolation Pilot Plant - WIPP)

Technical Report · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5255457· OSTI ID:5255457

Seismic reflection data from petroleum industry sources showed anomalous reflectors in the Castile Formation over a small area about 3 miles north of the center of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site. Additional corroborative seismic reflection data were collected as part of WIPP investigations, and WIPP 11 was drilled to investigate the anomaly. WIPP 11 was drilled near the northwest corner of Section 9, T.22.S., R.31E. it penetrated, in descending order, sand dune deposits and the Gatuna Formation (29'), Santa Rosa Sandstone (132'), Dewey Lake Red Beds (502'), Rustler Formation (288'), Salado Formation (1379'), and most of the Castile Formation (1240'). Beds within the lower part of the Salado, and the upper anhydrite of the Castile, are thinner than normal; these beds are displaced upward structurally by the upper Castile halite which is highly thickened (about 968'). The lowest halite is thin (51') and the basal anhydrite was not completely penetrated. Subsequent seismic and borehole data has shown WIPP 11 to be in a structural complex now identified as the disturbed zone. The WIPP is a demonstration facility for the disposal of transuranic (TRU) waste from defense programs. The WIPP will also provide a research facility to investigate the interactions between bedded salt and high level waste, though there are no plans at this time to dispose of high level waste or spent fuel at WIPP.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA); Geological Survey, Denver, CO (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5255457
• Report Number(s): SAND-79-0272; ON: DE82012053
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
FEDERAL REGION VI
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
HYDROLOGY
LITHOLOGY
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PILOT PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
ROCKS
SALT DEPOSITS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEISMIC SURVEYS
STRATIGRAPHY
SURVEYS
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
USA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES