Exploration and development of the Cerro Prieto geothermal field
A multidisciplinary effort to locate, delineate, and characterize the geothermal system at Cerro Prieto, Baja California, Mexico, began about 25 years ago. It led to the identification of an important high-temperature, liquid-dominated geothermal system which went into production in 1973. Initially, the effort was undertaken principally by the Mexican electric power agency, the Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE). Starting in 1977 a group of U.S. organizations sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, joined CFE in this endeavor. An evaluation of the different studies carried out at Cerro Prieto has shown that: surface electrical resistivity and seismic reflection surveys are useful in defining targets for exploratory drilling; the mineralogical studies of cores and cuttings and the analysis of well logs are important in designing the completion of wells, identifying geological controls on fluid movement, determining thermal effects and inferring the thermal history of the field; geochemical surveys help to define zones of recharge and paths of fluid migration; and reservoir engineering studies are necessary in establishing the characteristics of the reservoir and in predicting its response to fluid production.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 5284548
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8310121-
- Journal Information:
- Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE12098; ISSN SEAPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Exploration and development of the Cerro Prieto geothermal field
Related Subjects
150300* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology
150904 -- Geothermal Engineering-- Geothermal Reservoir & Well Performance
CERRO PRIETO GEOTHERMAL FIELD
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ENGINEERING
EXPLOITATION
EXPLORATION
FLUIDS
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
JOINT VENTURES
LATIN AMERICA
MEXICO
MINERALOGY
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
RESERVOIR ROCK
SEISMIC SURVEYS
SURVEYS
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
WELL LOGGING