Temperature changes with time in the slotted interval of a deep, shut-in geothermal well near thermal equilibrium: East Mesa Well 31-1, Imperial County, California, 1977-1982
Five precision temperature logs were obtained over a five year period (1977-1982) beginning three years after drilling and one year after last significant testing in East Mesa well 31-1 (32/sup 0/48.6'N, 115/sup 0/15.7'W). A sensitivity of measurement of 0.001/sup 0/C was maintained to the bottom of the well (165/sup 0/C, 180 bars). Useable precision was limited by convective motions within the hole (0.01-0.3/sup 0/C depending on ambient geothermal gradient), fluid leakage through the lubricator at the well head (4 bars) and, occasionally, by electrical or electronic noise. Comparison of these continuous logs indicates a general warming in and just above the slotted interval (1647-1877 m) which is attributed to flow into the lower levels of the slotted interval and up the casing and out into permeable zones at higher levels. Some flow continued upward through an uncemented interval of the annulus between casing and hole and out into the formation where it is blocked by cement ( about 1594 m). Some points of entrance or egress of fluid are marked by small, sharp temperature anomalies which have persisted over the 5-year period. Apparently, the uncemented part of the annulus has partly filled in, and flow into the bottom of slotted interval has increased (1978-1982). Both of these changes may have been induced by the nearby ( about 30 km) Imperial Valley earthquake of 10/15/79, or by the production or testing of nearby wells.
- Research Organization:
- U.S. Geological Survey Federal Center, Denver, CO
- OSTI ID:
- 5390795
- Journal Information:
- Trans. - Geotherm. Resour. Counc.; (United States), Vol. 6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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EAST MESA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
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