DOE Geothermal Program Review - Critique on Production
I think it is wonderful that our Country can support research projects. Innovations and the development of cost-effective technology is a strategic issue for our industry. We all know that this is important--in fact, required to keep the industry healthy. The objective must be to continuously develop technology which will do things better for less money. This is the ultimate goal of research. I've been asked to comment on production research issues. And so, I will limit my discussion to just that. I think what we've heard in the last few days concerning cements, waste processing, and scale prediction is encouraging. In particular, the work that is being conducted on polymer cements may be of significant importance. As you may know, many parts of The Geysers and other fields are incurring high corrosion rates. The question before us is, do we plug and abandon these wells? Install hangdown strings of small diameter liner using expensive metallurgy such as Inconnel, Hastelloy or Titanium? Or, drill new wells? With current economics, it behooves them to seek the least expensive option which can extend the economic life of these deteriorating facilities. Our current option may be to run inner-liners utilizing these new polymer cements. However, Coatings can be damaged and the smaller diameter inner-liner can significantly reduce the amount of steam produced. I would like to suggest to Research, that you investigate or develop alternative means of placing cements or modified coatings directly down-hole onto the corroded casing itself. Inexpensive treatments may be the only salvation for these marginal producers during these times. How can we accomplish this? Some methods we might consider include: spray coating down-hole, or displace and plug techniques. Polymer curing might be accomplished with the use of down-hole heaters. Obviously, there are many options and details which remain to be worked out. But, it is clear that a simple and inexpensive technique would enhance the economic viability of existing geothermal projects. It is important to remember that these coatings need not provide indefinite erosion/corrosion protection. It is possible that re-coating may be required on a periodic basis, if cost permits. The bottom-line objective here is to extend the life of the project.
- Research Organization:
- Two-Phase Engineering & Research, Inc.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 891975
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-920378-39; TRN: US200622%%666
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Proceedings, Geothermal Energy and the Utility Market - The Opportunities and Challenges for Expanding Geothermal Energy in a Competitive Supply Market; San Francisco, CA, March 24-26, 1992, Geothermal Program Review X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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