Geopressured-geothermal energy in aquifers of the northern Gulf of Mexico basin

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:5960956

Wallace, Jr, R H; Kraemer, T F

An estimated 17,100 quintillion (10/sup 18/) joules of thermal and thermal-equivalent methane energy comprises the geopressured-geothermal fluid resource base (energy in place) in sandstone aquifers underlying 310,000 km/sup 2/ area of the northern Gulf of Mexico basin. The fluid resource base estimated to be contained in the finer-grained rocks, treated collectively as shales, represents an additional very large quantity of energy. Research conducted in the past decade by the US Geological Survey and US Department of Energy has focused on understanding the geopressured-geothermal resource and determining the potential of the resource as a major energy source. Knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of geopressured rocks and fluids and of geopressured aquifer characteristics in the northern Gulf of Mexico basin has been significantly advanced by research drilling and testing of geopressured aquifers. Principal results indicate that geopressured-geothermal aquifers exist at depths greater than about 3 km; that fluid-pressure gradients range as high as twice the hydrostatic gradient; that temperatures range upward from about 120/degree/C; that salinities range upward from about 15,000 mg/L; that reservoir fluids are saturated with dissolved methane; and that reservoir permeabilities are higher than predicted by a factor of 3 to 5. Flow tests of wells at rates up to 35,000 Bbls/day have revealed a yet-to-be defined mechanism for sustaining reservoir pressure. All wells on long-term test have produced variable amounts of liquid hydrocarbons with the brine.

• Research Organization: Geological Survey, Reston, VA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5960956
• Report Number(s): CONF-8510489-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States) Journal Volume: 17
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150100* -- Geothermal Energy-- Resources & Availability
ALKANES
AQUIFERS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BRINES
CARIBBEAN SEA
ENERGY SYSTEMS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
GEOPRESSURED SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
GULF OF MEXICO
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROLOGY
METHANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEAS
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SURFACE WATERS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS