Developments in West Coast area in 1978

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5631183

Blaisdell, R C

New-field discoveries in the West Coast area were down in 1978 from the previous year, although the total exploratory footage drilled was significantly higher and the total number of successful exploratory wells in California was up 12% from 1977. One new oil field and 6 new gas field discoveries were reported in California. None of these discoveries appear to be of major size and 1 gas field discovery was subsequently abandoned. Mobil commenced drilling a deep test in Oregon in 1978 on their large land block in the Willamette Valley. The well has subsequently been abandoned. No drilling activity was reported in Washington. Development drilling in California, although down from 1977, continued at an active pace and is related largely to steam-flood projects. Production of oil outstripped additions to reserves by 164 million bbl in 1978. Geothermal development drilling continued at The Geysers and in the Imperial Valley. The geothermal discovery well by McCulloch of the South Brawley field in the Imperial Valley is the deepest geothermal well drilled in California. This well may open a broad new area for deep fracture production. The first Imperial Valley geothermal power plant will begin generating electricity this year and 6 more plants are in various stages of design and construction throughout the valley. The Geysers capacity is expected to increase to 1238 MW by the end of 1982. 5 figures, 3 tables.

• Research Organization: Chevron USA Inc., San Francisco, CA
• OSTI ID: 5631183
• Journal Information: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States) Vol. 63:8; ISSN AAPGB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
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& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150801 -- Geothermal Power Plants-- Design & Operation
CALIFORNIA
DRILLING
ELECTRIC POWER
EXPLORATION
EXPLORATORY WELLS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
GEYSERS GEOTHERMAL FIELD
IMPERIAL VALLEY
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NATURAL GAS FIELDS
NORTH AMERICA
OIL FIELDS
OREGON
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
RESERVES
RESOURCES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA
WASHINGTON
WELLS
WESTERN REGION