Case history on geothermal-well-log interpretation: Surprise Valley, California

Technical Report · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6309391· OSTI ID:6309391

Rigby, F A; Zebal, G P

Well logs from a 1972 geothermal well drilled in California's Surprise Valley are discussed. The well is in an igneous formation, primarily basalt in the logged interval, and had a bottom-hole temperature of about 170/sup 0/C at a total depth exceeding 1400 m. It produced good flow rates from what is presumably a formation with predominately fracture-related permeability. The well has special interest because fractures could be located approximately by the appearance of well-defined secondary crystallization in the drill cuttings. The original use of the log data in evaluating the well when it was drilled is discussed. In addition, the log data are reviewed and valuable data are obtained on log response in basalts, the effects of secondary mineralization, fracture detection, and aspects of the resistivity logs. The Surprise Valley well gives a clear demonstration of the value of thorough logging in geothermal exploratory wells, especially in the identification and location of potential production zones.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6309391
• Report Number(s): LA-8598-MS; ON: DE81028544
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150303* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Exploratory Drilling & Well Logging
CALIFORNIA
DATA ANALYSIS
DENSITY
DRILL CORES
ELECTRIC LOGGING
EXPLORATORY WELLS
FAILURES
FRACTURES
GEOLOGY
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
GROUND WATER
Geothermal Legacy
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INTERSTITIAL WATER
LITHOLOGY
NEUTRON LOGGING
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POROSITY
RADIOACTIVITY LOGGING
SP LOGGING
STRATIGRAPHY
USA
WATER
WELL LOGGING
WELLS
WESTERN REGION