Geothermal test hints at oil potential in eastern Arizona volcanic field

Journal Article · Sun Jan 03 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Oil and Gas Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:5634063

Rauzi, S L ^[1]

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1. Arizona Geological Survey, Tucson, AZ (United States)

A recently drilled geothermal well, funded by the US Department of Energy and the Arizona Department of Commerce, has provided information about the geology of east-central Arizona and west-central New Mexico. Tonto Drilling Services in cooperation with New Mexico State University completed the well, the 1 Alpine-Federal, at a total depth of 4,505 ft. The well is located among volcanic rocks in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest about 6 miles north of the town of Alpine and 6.2 miles west of the Arizona-New Mexico line. The well was drilled to determine the hot dry rock geothermal potential of Precambrian rocks. The operator expected to penetrate Precambrian at about 4,200 ft, but the hole was still in Permian rocks at that depth and was in a mafic dike that intruded the Permian rocks at the total depth of 4,505 ft. The hole did show that Cretaceous and Permian strata contain potentially important source rocks for oil and gas that are apparently unaffected by nearby volcanism. These potential oil source rocks are the focus of this article.

• OSTI ID: 5634063
• Journal Information: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States) Vol. 92:1; ISSN OIGJAV; ISSN 0030-1388
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ARIZONA
CARBONATE ROCKS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRATA
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGIC TRAPS
GEOLOGY
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
INCLINED STRATA
LIMESTONE
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
STRATIGRAPHY
USA