The outlook for geopressured-geothermal energy and associated natural gas

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Geotherm. Energy Mag.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6652260

Dorfman, M D

This article discusses the exploration by the USDOE of the geopressured basin located on the northern Gulf of Mexico basin along the Texas and Louisiana coastal region. As a result of natural gas price increases during the 1970s and the decontrol of prices for gas contained in geopressured brines by the Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA) of 1978, the methane dissolved in geothermal waters has received increased attention. Recoverable methane is estimated to range from 100 to 2,500 trillion cubic feet in aquifers in the basin. Field tests have shown that temperatures at 15,000 feet are usually in the range of 275 to 300/sup 0/F, making electricity production marginal by either binary or dual-flash processes. Since there have been no demonstrations of geothermal applications, the primary emphasis has been directed toward natural gas production.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Texas at Austin, Dept. of Petroleum Eng., Austin TX
• OSTI ID: 6652260
• Journal Information: Geotherm. Energy Mag.; (United States), Journal Name: Geotherm. Energy Mag.; (United States) Vol. 11:11; ISSN GTEMA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150101* -- Geothermal Energy-- Resources & Availability-- USA-- (-1989)
150301 -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Geophysical Techniques & Surveys
ALKANES
AQUIFERS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
BRINES
CARIBBEAN SEA
DEREGULATION
DISSOLVED GASES
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EXPLORATION
FEDERAL REGION VI
FIELD TESTS
FLASHED STEAM SYSTEMS
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOPRESSURED SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GULF OF MEXICO
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HYDROCARBONS
LAWS
LOUISIANA
METHANE
NATIONAL ENERGY ACT
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS POLICY ACT
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POWER GENERATION
PRICES
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SEAS
SOLUTES
STEAM SYSTEMS
SURFACE WATERS
TESTING
TEXAS
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA