Flash pressure of geothermal liquids and depth of initial flashing in wellbores

Conference · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Trans. - Geotherm. Resour. Counc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6760372

Michels, D E

Flash pressures have been measured for fluid from deep wells at East Mesa and near the Salton Sea KGRA. Compared to gas-free liquids at respective temperatures, the flash pressures range from 17 to 345 psi above the handbook values. Mainly this is due to CO/sub 2/. The location of initial flashing in a geothermal well is important to the productivity of the well and to the selection of casing. Predictions of flow characteristics and optimum size of casing should involve good estimates of the vapor pressure component due to noncondensable gases. CO/sub 2/ usually is the most important of these. Depth of flashing can be predicted from the vapor pressure, shut-in formation pressure, fluid density, and productivity index if they are known or can be estimated. A technique for this is presented.

• Research Organization: Republic Geothermal, Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA
• OSTI ID: 6760372
• Report Number(s): CONF-811015-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Trans. - Geotherm. Resour. Counc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150904* -- Geothermal Engineering-- Geothermal Reservoir & Well Performance
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DENSITY
EAST MESA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
EVAPORATION
FLASHING
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PRODUCTIVITY
RESERVOIR PRESSURE
SALINITY
SALTON SEA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
SOLUBILITY
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TWO-PHASE FLOW
VAPOR PRESSURE
WELL PRESSURE