Chemical logging of geothermal wells

Patent · Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:864078

Allen, Charles A ^[1]; McAtee, Richard E ^[1]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID

The presence of geothermal aquifers can be detected while drilling in geothermal formations by maintaining a chemical log of the ratio of the concentrations of calcium to carbonate and bicarbonate ions in the return drilling fluid. A continuous increase in the ratio of the concentrations of calcium to carbonate and bicarbonate ions is indicative of the existence of a warm or hot geothermal aquifer at some increased depth.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-07-1540
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4306879
• OSTI ID: 864078
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/436/
aquifer
aquifers
bicarbonate
calcium
carbonate
chemical
chemical log
concentrations
continuous
depth
detected
drilling
drilling fluid
existence
fluid
formations
geothermal
hot
increase
increased
indicative
log
logging
maintaining
presence
ratio
return
warm