Development of a geothermal acoustic borehole televiewer

Technical Report · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5759431· OSTI ID:5759431

Heard, F E; Bauman, T J

Most geothermal wells are drilled in hard rock formations where fluid flow is through systems of open fractures. Productivity of these wells is usually determined by the extent of intersection of the wellbore with the fracture system. A need exists for fracture mapping methods and tools which can operate in a geothermal environment. In less hostile environments, the acoustic borehole televiewer has been shown to be a useful tool for determining location, orientation, and characterization of fractures as they intersect the borehole and for general wellbore and casing inspection. The development conducted at Sandia National Laboratories to adapt an acoustic borehole televiewer for operation in a geothermal environment is described. The modified instrument has been successfully tested at temperatures as high as 280/sup 0/C and pressures up to 5000 psi, and used successfully to map fractures and casing damage in geothermal wells.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5759431
• Report Number(s): SAND-83-0681; ON: DE83017935
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150303* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Exploratory Drilling & Well Logging
ACOUSTIC MONITORING
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
EQUIPMENT
FAILURES
FRACTURES
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
Geothermal Legacy
MAGNETOMETERS
MAPPING
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORING
REMOTE VIEWING EQUIPMENT
TRANSDUCERS
WELL CASINGS
WELL LOGGING
WELLS