Geothermal Well Costs and their Sensitivities to Changes in Drilling and Completion Operations
Conference
·
OSTI ID:886096
This paper presents a detailed analysis of the costs of drilling and completing geothermal wells. The basis for much of the analysis is a computer-simulation-based model which calculates and accrues operational costs involved in drilling and completing a well. Geothermal well costs are discussed in general, with special emphasis on variations among different geothermal areas in the United States, effects of escalation and inflation over the past few years, and comparisons of geothermal drilling costs with those for oil and gas wells. Cost differences between wells for direct use of geothermal energy and those for electric generation, are also indicated. In addition, a breakdown of total well cost into its components is presented. This provides an understanding of the relative contributions of different operations in drilling and completions. A major portion of the cost in many geothermal wells is from encountered troubles, such as lost circulation, cementing difficulties, and fishing. These trouble costs are considered through both specific examples and statistical treatment of drilling and completions problems. The sensitivities of well costs to variations in several drilling and completion parameters are presented. The mode1 makes it possible to easily vary parameters such as rates of penetration; bit lifetimes; bit rental, or rig costs; delay times; number of cement plugs; etc. are compared.
- Research Organization:
- DOEEEGTP (USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Geothermal Tech Pgm)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 886096
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-81-0036C; CONF-810105-8
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Geothermal well costs and their sensitivities to changes in drilling and completion operations
Session 16: Geothermal Drilling and Completion; Research and Development Program
Potential impacts of artificial intelligence expert systems on geothermal well drilling costs:
Conference
·
Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1980
·
OSTI ID:7369361
Session 16: Geothermal Drilling and Completion; Research and Development Program
Conference
·
Wed Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1983
·
OSTI ID:838157
Potential impacts of artificial intelligence expert systems on geothermal well drilling costs:
Technical Report
·
Mon Nov 23 23:00:00 EST 1987
·
OSTI ID:5292949