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U.S. Department of Energy
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Drillhole stimulation in Iceland

Conference · · Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States)
OSTI ID:6129079

Since 1970, stimulation by injection packer has been a routine completion procedure for low temperature hydrothermal drill holes in Iceland. The stimulation process usually begins with pumping the hole with compressed air in order to clean the hole of drill cuttings and lost circulation materials. The inflatable packer is then set between 2 or more producing horizons in the hole and water in turn injected beneath or above the packer. The rate of pumping is from 15 to 100 L/sec and varies according to the resistance of the producing horizons. Injection face pressures range from a few kilograms per square centimeter to 150 kg/sq cm at 15 L/sec, in highly resistive horizons. Thirty- to 40-fold improvement has been realized compared to the estimated productivity of the hole at the end of drilling but compared to productivity estimated from the total loss of circulation during drilling, improvements have been up to 3 fold. At Mosfellssveit, production of several treated drill holes has exceeded 80 L/sec with drawdowns of less than 10 m, but usually it exceeds 40 L/sec with drawdown of less than 50 m.

OSTI ID:
6129079
Report Number(s):
CONF-781112-
Journal Information:
Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States), Journal Name: Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States) Vol. 78-PET-24; ISSN ASMSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English