Preliminary test results and geology of the DOE/Superior Hulin. number sign. 1 geopressured-geothermal well, Vermillion Parish, Louisiana

Conference · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA)

OSTI ID:5982512

John, C J; Stevenson, D A; Groat, C G ^[1]

---

1. Louisiana Geological Survey, Baton Rouge (USA)

The DOE/Superior Hulin {number sign}1 well is the most recent of the current three geopressured-geothermal prospects being tested by the Department of Energy (DOE) under its geopressured-geothermal program initiated in 1975. The other prospects under evaluation are Gladys McCall {number sign}1 (Cameron Parish, LA) and Pleasant Bayou {number sign}2 (Brazoria County, TX). The main objective of this research program is to evaluate the commercial viability of energy production from high temperature (275{degrees}+F.), geopressured, natural-gas-saturated brine sandstone aquifers occur-ring in the Gulf Coast area. The DOE/Superior Hulin {number sign}1 well is located 7.5 mi (12 km) south of the town of Erath, Louisiana. It was originally drilled and later sidetracked as an exploration well by Superior Oil Company to a depth of 21,549 ft (6,568 m) and completed in 1979. The well produced 0.3 bcf gas in 19 months from the interval between 21,059 and 21,094 ft (6,419-6,429 m). Later, owing to production problems caused by tubing/casing failure, Superior abandoned production and transferred the well to DOE for testing under the geopressured-geothermal program. The well has recently been cleaned and recompleted by Eaton Operating Company, Houston, Texas, and plugged back to 20,725 ft (6,317 m). This well penetrates the deepest known Gulf Coast geopressured-geothermal reservoir and has a maximum recorded temperature of 338{degrees}F with a 560 ft (171 m) thick sandstone. Regional geologic work indicates that the Hulin sandstone represents either a submarine canyon or an unstable shelf delta type of environment. The well is presently perforated at the bottom of the sandstone from 20,610 to 20,690 ft (6282-6306 m) for preliminary short-term testing now in progress. Initial testing indicates the gas-brine ratio to be 31 SCF/STB.

• OSTI ID: 5982512
• Report Number(s): CONF-9010204-; CODEN: AABUD
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA), Vol. 74:9; Conference: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies and Gulf Coast Section of SEPM (Society of Economics, Paleontologists, and Mineralogist) meeting, Lafayette, LA (USA), 17-19 Oct 1990; ISSN 0149-1423
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
03 NATURAL GAS
58 GEOSCIENCES
GEOPRESSURED SYSTEMS
GEOLOGY
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
PERFORMANCE
LOUISIANA
DEPOSITION
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESERVOIR ROCK
SANDSTONES
TEXAS
US DOE
WELL DRILLING
DRILLING
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION VI
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
WELLS
150200* - Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems
030200 - Natural Gas- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
580000 - Geosciences