Reservoir engineering report for the magma-SDG and E geothermal experimental site near the Salton Sea, California

Technical Report · Mon Jul 12 04:00:00 EDT 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7324818· OSTI ID:7324818

Schroeder, R C

A description of the Salton Sea geothermal reservoir is given and includes approximate fault locations, geology (lithology), temperatures, and estimates of the extent of the reservoir. The reservoir's temperatures and chemical composition are also reviewed. The flow characteristics are discussed after analyses of drillstem tests and extended well tests. The field production, reserves and depletion are estimated, and the effects of fractures on flow and depletion are discussed. The reservoir is believed to be separated into an ''upper'' and ''lower'' portion by a relatively thick and continuous shale layer. The upper reservoir is highly porous, with high permeability and productivity. The lower reservoir is at least twice as large as the upper but has much lower storativity and permeability in the rock matrix. The lower reservoir may be highly fractured, and its temperatures and dissolved solids are greater than those of the upper reservoir. The proven reserves of heat in the upper reservoir are about /sup 1///sub 4/ GW.yr (in the fluid) and /sup 1///sub 3/ GW.yr (in the rock). In the lower reservoir the proven reserves of heat are 5/sup 3///sub 4/ GW.yr (in the fluid) and 17 GW.yr (in the rock). Unproven reserves greatly exceed these numbers. Injection tests following well completion imply that hydraulic fracturing has taken place in two of the SDG and E wells and at least one other well nearby.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 7324818
• Report Number(s): UCRL-52094
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150904* -- Geothermal Engineering-- Geothermal Reservoir & Well Performance
BRINES
CALIFORNIA
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
ENGINEERING
FLOW RATE
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
Geothermal Legacy
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HOT-WATER SYSTEMS
HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS
INJECTION WELLS
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
NORTH AMERICA
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PERMEABILITY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RESERVES
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
RESOURCES
SALTON SEA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
TESTING
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
USA
WELLS
WESTERN REGION