Isotopic Analysis- Fluid At Coso Geothermal Area (2007)

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

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Exploration Activity: Isotopic Analysis- Fluid At Coso Geothermal Area (2007)

Exploration Activity Details
Location	Coso Geothermal Area
Exploration Technique	Isotopic Analysis- Fluid
Activity Date	2007
Usefulness	not indicated
DOE-funding	Unknown

Exploration Basis

Determine the location of the heat source

Notes

Fluids have been sampled from 9 wells and 2 fumaroles from the East Flank of the Coso hydrothermal system with a view to identifying, if possible, the location and characteristics of the heat source inflows into this portion of the geothermal field. Preliminary results show that there has been extensive vapor loss in the system, most probably in response to production. Wells 38A-9, 51-16 and 83A-16 showthe highest CO2-CO-CH4-H2 chemical equilibration temperatures, ranging between 300-340 C, and apart from 38A-9, the values are generally in accordance with the measured temperatures in the wells. Calculated temperatures for the fractionation of 13C between CO2 and CH4 are in excess of 400oC in fluids from wells 38A-9, 64-16-RD2 and 51A-16,obviously pointing to equilibrium conditions from deeper portions of the reservoir.

References

• Christenson, B. W.; Kennedy, B. M.; Adams, M. C.; Bjornstad, S. C.; Buck, C.   (8 January 2007) Chemical and isotopic characteristics of the coso east flank hydrothermal fluids: implications for the location and nature of the heat source