Status of the Los Alamos experiment to extract geothermal energy from hot dry rock

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Geology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1977)5<237:SOTLAE>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:5357907

Laughlin, A W; Pettitt, R A; West, F G; Eddy, A C; Balagna, J P; Charles, R W

For the past four years, the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) has been investigating a method for extracting geothermal energy from hot, but essentially impermeable, rocks at moderate depths. The concept is to drill a hole into the hot, relatively impermeable rock and create a large hydraulic fracture that serves as a downhole heat exchanger. A second hole is drilled to intersect the fracture, creating a circulation loop for the injected water. Two deep holes (GT-2 and EE-1) were drilled at the Fenton Hill site in northern New Mexico. The first hole, GT-2, has a depth of 2,928 m and a bottom-hole temperature of 197/sup 0/C. The second hole, EE-1, was temporarily halted at a depth of 3,062 m, where the temperature is 205.5/sup 0/C. Hydraulic fractures were created in both holes, and fluid communication between the holes was established in October 1975. Circulation experiments are now being conducted between the two holes.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM
• OSTI ID: 5357907
• Journal Information: Geology; (United States), Journal Name: Geology; (United States) Vol. 5:4; ISSN GLGYB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150906* -- Geothermal Engineering-- Reservoir Stimulation &amp; Extraction Technology
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
DRILLING
EXPLORATION
FLUID FLOW
FRACTURING
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
HEAT EXTRACTION
HOT-DRY-ROCK SYSTEMS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
PERMEABILITY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SITE SELECTION
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
USA
WELL DRILLING
WELL LOGGING
WELLS