Mechanisms of formation damage in matrix-permeability geothermal wells

Technical Report · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5350144· OSTI ID:5350144

Bergosh, J L; Wiggins, R B; Enniss, D O

Tests were conducted to determine mechanisms of formation damage that can occur in matrix permeability geothermal wells. Two types of cores were used in the testing, actual cores from the East Mesa Well 78-30RD and cores from a fairly uniform generic sandstone formation. Three different types of tests were run. The East Mesa cores were used in the testing of the sensitivity of core to filtrate chemistry. The tests began with the cores exposed to simulated East Mesa brine and then different filtrates were introduced and the effects of the fluid contrast on core permeability were measured. The East Mesa cores were also used in the second series of tests which tested formation sandstone cores were used in the third test series which investigated the effects of different sizes of entrained particles in the fluid. Tests were run with both single-particle sizes and distributions of particle mixes. In addition to the testing, core preparation techniques for simulating fracture permeability were evaluated. Three different fracture formation mechanisms were identified and compared. Measurement techniques for measuring fracture size and permeability were also developed.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA); Terra Tek, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5350144
• Report Number(s): SAND-81-7208; ON: DE82014612
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150303* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Exploratory Drilling & Well Logging
BRINES
DRILL CORES
DRILLING FLUIDS
EAST MESA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
FAILURES
FLUIDS
FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
Geothermal Legacy
PERMEABILITY
PLUGGING
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
WELLS