Salton Sea Scientific Drilling Program

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Earthquakes and Volcanoes; (USA)

OSTI ID:7202525

Sass, J H

The Salton Sea Scientific Drilling Program (SSSDP) was the first large-scale drilling project undertaken by the U.S. Continental Scientific Drilling Program. The objectives of the SSSDP were (1) to drill a deep well into the Salton Sea Geothermal Field in the Imperial Valley of California, (2) to retrieve a high percentage of core and cuttings along the entire depth of the well, (3) to obtain a comprehensive suite of geophysical logs, (4) to conduct flow tests at two depths (and to take fluid samples therefrom), and (5) to carry out several downhole experiments. These activities enabled the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating agencies to study the physical and chemical processes involved in an active hydrothermal system driven by a molten-rock heat source. The SSSDP exceeded its target depth of 10,000 feet, and a comprehensive set of cuttings, cores, and downhole logs was obtained. Two flow tests at different depths were successfully completed. Hydrologic connection between the different producing horizons, however, made the data from the deeper test difficult to interpret. Temperature logging by the Geological Survey and Sandia National Laboratories to establish the equilibrium profile continued until August of 1987. The SSSDP provides a model for scientific cooperation among government agencies, universities, and private industry.

• OSTI ID: 7202525
• Journal Information: Earthquakes and Volcanoes; (USA), Journal Name: Earthquakes and Volcanoes; (USA) Vol. 20:4; ISSN EAVAE; ISSN 0894-7163
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150901* -- Geothermal Engineering-- Drilling Technology & Well Hardware
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290500 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Research
Development
Demonstration
& Commercialization
299000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Unconventional Sources & Power Generation
CALIFORNIA
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMISTRY
COOPERATION
DEPTH
DIKES
DIMENSIONS
DRILL CORES
DRILLING
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL REGION IX
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION
HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS
INTERAGENCY COOPERATION
MAGMA
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS RECOVERY
METAMORPHISM
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
NORTH AMERICA
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESERVOIR FLUIDS
RESERVOIR ROCK
SALTON SEA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
SURVEYS
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
TEMPERATURE LOGGING
TESTING
US DOE
US DOI
US GS
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WELL DRILLING
WELL LOGGING
WELL LOGGING EQUIPMENT
WELLS