Completion of hot dry rock geothermal well systems

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5791524

Pettitt, R A

In the hot-dry-rock (HDR) concept of extracting geothermal energy, a manmade geothermal reservoir is created by drilling a deep hole into relatively impermeable hot rocks, creating a large surface area for heat transfer by hydraulic fracturing, then drilling a second hole to intersect the fracture to complete the closed circulation loop. The completion of HDR geothermal wells presents cementing problems that are unique. The casing string may be subjected to temperature stress cycles representing differential temperatures of up to 455 F (235 C). Experience has shown that the conventional high-temperature completion cement formulation of class A or B Portland cement, stabilized with 40% silica sand, does not withstand these cyclic stresses. Investigations and tests are being conducted to determine other Portland cement formulations. This study describes (1) the performance history of casing cement for the existing FE-1 injection well, (2) the proposed cementing plan for the FE-2 injection well presently being drilled, and (3) the completion system being tested in EE-1 for expanded use in EE-2.

• OSTI ID: 5791524
• Report Number(s): CONF-790913-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE-8267
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150906* -- Geothermal Engineering-- Reservoir Stimulation & Extraction Technology
BUILDING MATERIALS
CEMENTING
CEMENTS
COMMINUTION
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUID FLOW
FRACTURING
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HOT-DRY-ROCK SYSTEMS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
INJECTION WELLS
MATERIALS
PERMEABILITY
PORTLAND CEMENT
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
STRESSES
THERMAL STRESSES
WELL COMPLETION
WELLS