Exploratory Well

From Open Energy Information

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Exploration Technique: Exploratory Well

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"{{{ExplorationCostPerMetric}}}" is not in the list of possible values (100 feet cut, 30 foot core, compound, day, element, foot, hour, mile, point, process, sample, sq. mile, station, Subject, well) for this property.



"{{{ExplorationTimePerMetric}}}" is not in the list of possible values (job, 10 mile, 10 stn, 100 mile, sq. mile, foot) for this property.



Exploration Technique Information
Exploration Group: Drilling Techniques
Exploration Sub Group: Exploration Drilling
Parent Exploration Technique: Exploration Drilling
Information Provided by Technique
Lithology: Can provide core or cuttings
Stratigraphic/Structural: Identify stratigraphy and structural features within a well
Hydrological: -Water samples can be used for geochemical analysis<br:/>-Fluid pressures can be used to estimate flow rates
Thermal: -Temperatures can be measured within the hole<br:/>-Information about the heat source
Dictionary.png
Exploratory Well:
An exploratory well is drilled for the purpose of identifying the lithological, structural, hydrological, or thermal characteristics of a geothermal resource. Exploratory wells are used to locate and roughly define the potential power output of a resource.
Other definitions:Wikipedia Reegle


 
Introduction
"Exploratory wells are drilled to further define or constrain a particular hydrothermal resource. This could be done before any other drilling or to expand and learn more about the dimensions of an existing geothermal power facility. Note: the terms exploratory wells and exploratory boreholes have been used interchangeably in the geothermal and oil and gas industries. Technically the difference is that a borehole does not produce fluid and a well does." cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
 Exploratory wells are drilled to further define or constrain a particular hydrothermal resource. This could be done before any other drilling or to expand and learn more about the dimensions of an existing geothermal power facility.

Note: the terms exploratory wells and exploratory boreholes have been used interchangeably in the geothermal and oil and gas industries. Technically the difference is that a borehole does not produce fluid and a well does.

 
Use in Geothermal Exploration
"Exploration wells can be used for many purposes in the geothermal industry. They can provide critical information about the resource at depth allowing developers to better understand the potential power output from a particular area. Exploratory wells are also useful for existing geothermal power facilities interested in expanding their resource. Drilling tends to be the most expensive phase of developing a geothermal resource; so many other exploration techniques are done prior to exploratory drilling (Jennejohn, 2009; FIGA, 2011). However, drilling is the only way to verify that the resource is capable of producing sufficient hydrothermal fluids for power generation." cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
 Exploration wells can be used for many purposes in the geothermal industry. They can provide critical information about the resource at depth allowing developers to better understand the potential power output from a particular area. Exploratory wells are also useful for existing geothermal power facilities interested in expanding their resource. Drilling tends to be the most expensive phase of developing a geothermal resource; so many other exploration techniques are done prior to exploratory drilling (Jennejohn, 2009; FIGA, 2011). However, drilling is the only way to verify that the resource is capable of producing sufficient hydrothermal fluids for power generation.
 
Related Techniques
"Thermal gradient holes (TGH) may be drilled prior to any other drilling techniques. TGH are typically narrow and shallow, but can still locate anomalous geothermal gradients, and depending on the drilling conditions, they are often cost effective (Jennejohn, 2009).

<br:/>A pressure temperature log is generated from a tool sent down a hole, similar to TGH, but accounts for other properties. A pressure temperature log can be done in an exploratory well. See Pressure Temperature Log to learn more about this technique.

<br>

Thermal gradient holes (TGH) may be drilled prior to any other drilling techniques. TGH are typically narrow and shallow, but can still locate anomalous geothermal gradients, and depending on the drilling conditions, they are often cost effective (Jennejohn, 2009).

<br:/>A pressure temperature log is generated from a tool sent down a hole, similar to TGH, but accounts for other properties. A pressure temperature log can be done in an exploratory well. See Pressure Temperature Log to learn more about this technique.







 
References
Federal Interagency Geothermal Activities, 2011, http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/pdfs/ngap.pdf<br:/>Jennejohn, 2009, http://www.novoco.com/energy/resource_files/reports/geo_rd_1209.pdf


Page Area Activity Start Date Activity End Date Reference Material
Exploratory Well At Coso Geothermal Area (1967) Coso Geothermal Area 1967 1967


Exploratory Well At Coso Geothermal Area (1977-1978) Coso Geothermal Area 1977 1978


Exploratory Well At Dixie Valley Geothermal Area (Allis, Et Al., 1999) Dixie Valley Geothermal Area 1997 1998


Exploratory Well At Kilauea East Rift Geothermal Area (FURUMOTO, 1976) Kilauea East Rift Geothermal Area 1961 1961


Exploratory Well At Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area (McNitt, 1963) Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area 1959 1962


Exploratory Well At Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area (Smith & Rex, 1977) Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area 1976 1976


Exploratory Well At Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area (Sorey, 1985) Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area 1976 1985


Exploratory Well At Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area (Sorey, Et Al., 1991) Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area 1983 1983


Exploratory Well At Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area (Suemnicht, 1987) Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area 1985 1985


Exploratory Well At North Brawley Geothermal Area (Matlick & Jayne, 2008) North Brawley Geothermal Area 1975 1980


Exploratory Well At Raft River Geothermal Area (1950) Raft River Geothermal Area 1950 1950


Exploratory Well At Raft River Geothermal Area (1975) Raft River Geothermal Area 1975 1975


Exploratory Well At Raft River Geothermal Area (1976) Raft River Geothermal Area 1976 1976


Exploratory Well At Raft River Geothermal Area (1977) Raft River Geothermal Area 1977 1977


Exploratory Well At Roosevelt Hot Springs Geothermal Area (Faulder, 1991) Roosevelt Hot Springs Geothermal Area 1991 1991


Exploratory Well At Roosevelt Hot Springs Geothermal Area (Petersen, 1975) Roosevelt Hot Springs Geothermal Area 1968 1968


Exploratory Well At Salt Wells Area (Bureau of Land Management, 2009) Salt Wells Geothermal Area 2008 2008


Exploratory Well At Salt Wells Area (Edmiston & Benoit, 1984) Salt Wells Geothermal Area 1980 1980


Exploratory Well At Valles Caldera - Redondo Geothermal Area (Nielson & Hulen, 1984) Valles Caldera - Redondo Geothermal Area 1959 1983


    Document #Analysis
    Type    		ApplicantGeothermal
    Area    		Lead
    Agency    		District
    Office    		Field
    Office    		Mineral
    Manager    		Surface
    Manager    		Development
    Phase(s)    		Techniques
    DOI-BLM-CA-170-02-15EAMammoth PacificLong Valley Caldera Geothermal AreaBureau of Land ManagementBLM Central California District OfficeBLM Bishop Field OfficeBureau of Land ManagementGeothermal/ExplorationDrilling Methods
    Exploration Drilling
    Exploratory Well
    Slim Holes
    DOI-BLM-CA-650-2005-086EARobert A. Phinney, Deep Rose LLCCoso Geothermal AreaBureau of Land ManagementBLM California Desert District OfficeBureau of Land ManagementBureau of Land ManagementGeothermal/ExplorationFlow Test
    Exploratory Well
    DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2012-0051-EAEATerra-Gen Power LLCCoyote Canyon Geothermal AreaBureau of Land ManagementBLM Carson City District OfficeBLM Stillwater Field OfficeBureau of Land ManagementBureau of Land ManagementGeothermal/ExplorationExploratory Well
    EA for Well Field Development at Patua Geothermal Area - DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2011-00016-EAEAGradient ResourcesPatua Geothermal AreaBureau of Land ManagementBLM Carson City District OfficeBLM Stillwater Field OfficeBureau of Land ManagementBureau of Land Management
    Bureau of Reclamation    		Geothermal/Exploration
    Geothermal/Well Field    		Drilling Techniques
    Exploratory Well
    Thermal Gradient Holes
    NVN-088205EAOrmat Technologies IncGabbs Valley Geothermal AreaBLM Stillwater Field OfficeBLM Carson City District OfficeBLM Stillwater Field OfficeBLM Stillwater Field OfficeBLM Stillwater Field OfficeGeothermal/ExplorationExploratory Well
    Observation Wells
    Thermal Gradient Holes


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