Subterrene rock-melting concept applied to the production of deep geothermal wells

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7344014

Altseimer, J H

The drilling of wells comprises a large fraction of the costs of geothermal energy-extraction plants, and billions of dollars for wells will be needed before geothermal energy is nationally significant. Technical and cost studies were made of the application of the Subterrene concept, i.e., excavating and penetrating rocks or soils by melting, to deep wells such as may be used for dry-hot-rock or geopressure geothermal energy extraction systems. Technically, it was found that Subterrene requirements are compatible with those of current rotary drilling practices. Certain features of the rock-melting concept such as the glass lining on the borehole wall, and nonrotation, provide opportunities for the development of better well production techniques in hot wells. A typical optimum-cost well would be rotary-drilled in the upper regions and then rock-melted to total depth. Indicated cost-savings are significant: a 33 percent or 4.5 million dollars reduction from rotary drilled well costs are estimated for a 10 km depth well with bottom hole temperatures of 673 K. Even for normal geothermal gradient conditions, the savings for the 10 km depth is estimated as 23 percent or 2 million dollars.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N.Mex. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 7344014
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-76-1302; CONF-760906-6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150901* -- Geothermal Engineering-- Drilling Technology & Well Hardware
COST
DESIGN
DRILL BITS
DRILLING
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
DRILLS
EQUIPMENT
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
Geothermal Legacy
PERFORMANCE
ROCK DRILLING
SUBTERRENE PENETRATORS
USES
WELL DRILLING
WELLS