Current interest in geothermal potential of thermal-spring areas in the Appalachians makes all data on thermal springs and wells in these areas valuable. Presented here without interpretive comment are maps showing selected springs and wells and tables of physical and chemical data pertaining to these wells and springs. The chemical tables show compositions of gases (oxygen, nitrogen, argon, methane, carbon dioxide, and helium), isotope contents (tritium, carbon (13), and oxygen (18)), trace and minor element chemical data, and the usual complete chemical data.

The state-of-the-art of borehole plugging of abandoned oil wells and the tools and materials used are discussed. Special problems encountered are considered and several case studies are outlined. The special procedures which must be followed if the plugged borehole is to be considered as a repository for radioactive wastes are discussed and special recommendations are made. A state-by-state summary is given of the regulatory requirements for borehole plugging. (JSR)

Subsurface thermal observations indicate that Leach Hot Springs in Grass Valley, and Buffalo Hot Springs in Buffalo Valley, overlie localized upflows of hot water enclosed by relatively impermeable sediments. Upward and downward flows occur elsewhere in Grass Valley, probably indicating a complex system of hydrothermal circulation. The thermal data are inadequate to determine whether a comparable condition exists in Buffalo Valley. Deeper test drilling is being planned for both the Leach and Buffalo Hot Spring areas to find the depth to which the conductive regime extends and to provide further sub-surface data for an evaluation of the geothermal energy potential of the prospects.

Subsurface thermal observations indicate that Leach Hot Springs in Grass Valley, and Buffalo Hot Springs in Buffalo Valley, overlie localized upflows of hot water enclosed by relatively impermeable sediments. Upward and downward flows occur elsewhere in Grass Valley, probably indicating a complex system of hydrothermal circulation. The thermal data are inadequate to determine whether a comparable condition exists in Buffalo Valley. Deeper test drilling is being planned for both the Leach and Buffalo Hot Spring areas to find the depth to which the conductive regime extends and to provide further sub-surface data for an evaluation of the geothermal energy potential of the prospects.

A detailed investigation is reported of cuttings recovered from three wells in the Salton Sea geothermal field located at the southeast end of the Salton Sea, California. The wells, Magmamax No. 2, Magmamax No. 3, and Woolsey No. 1 penetrate 1340 m, 1200 m, and 730 m, respectively, of altered sandstones, siltstones, and shales of the Colorado River delta. The wells are located at the crest of a thermal anomaly, reach a maximum of 320/sup 0/C at 1070 m, and produce a brine containing approximately 250,000 mg/1 of dissolved solids.

A collection of methods for sampling and analysis of geothermal fluids and gases is presented. Compilations of analytic options for constituents in water and gases are given. Also, a survey of published methods of laboratory water analysis is included. It is stated that no recommendation of the applicability of the methods to geothermal brines should be assumed since the intent of the table is to encourage and solicit comments and discussion leading to recommended analytical procedures for geothermal waters and research. (WHK)

The primary field activity for January has been to maintain operations of the plant during extremely cold weather in the early weeks and to maintain and improve on the relative quality of the various pretreatment fluids. Another area requiring attention was changeover of the saturated salt system to a permanent installation. A total of 11,168 and 12,185 barrels of pretreatment fluids were injected into the Chesney and Hegberg patterns respectively. This is a composite average of 42 barrels per day, down eight from the previous month. During January, the number and type of observation wells needed was studied extensively. This resulted in a recommendation for two such wells located between an injection and production well in each pattern. Chemical analyses were performed on various waters, filtrates, and scales in an effort to determine the likely causes of injection problems. A clay study was also directed toward this problem. Remedial well treatments were then recommended. Laboratory work has also included steady-state relative permeability tests, analysis of sulfonates, tests of soluble oil mixtures, flow tests with the preliminary Shell system, study of new polymer samples, and both development and support work relating to well treatments.

In order to investigate the effects of interfacial tension and of wettability upon the tertiary recovery of residual oil by a low interfacial tension waterflood, a static analysis of a single irregular pore partially filled with residual oil was performed. There is a critical value for the pressure drop over this pore below which the residual oil cannot be displaced but instead will assume a static configuration. The pore was idealized by saying that its radius is a sinusoidal function of axial position. It was recognized that the pressure drop across the pore under static conditions is a function of the pore geometry, the volume of the oil segment, the position of the oil segment in the pore, the crude oil--water interfacial tension, the advancing contact angle, and the receding contact angle. The relationship between the advancing and receding contact angles was taken to be the class III behavior established by Morrow (1974) for roughened polytetrafluorethylene surfaces. As the result of this analysis, it was found that, for the most efficient displacement of residual oil, the porous structure should be water-wet. Intermediate wettability may be less desirable than either oil-wet or water-wet behavior.

The Bureau of Mines is involved in the nation's geothermal program from two different points of view. One is the conservation of the nation's mineral resources through the development of corrosion resistant materials. The other is to develop new mineral resource recovery techniques applicable to the hydrothermal waters of the Imperial Valley. This paper reports ''engineering'' observations made during the field operations in the Imperial Valley during 1974, 1975, and 1976. The interest in the scaling phenomena is directed only to (1) its interference with the corrosion studies, and (2) the possible role that it may play in any minerals recovery technique. The work reported here consists of chemical, structural and thermodynamic analyses of scales obtained from wells on the Salton Sea geothermal field and on the East Mesa geothermal field. In some cases there is little reliable information on the well operating parameters (flow rates, time, temperature, pressure or ''correct'' chemistry) for which the scales were obtained. For other cases, particularly for the 1975 operation of Mesa 6-1 and for the 1976 operation of Magmamax No. 1, there is at least the beginnings of some semblance of reliable background information.

During the first year of the cooperative project jointly funded by Phillips Petroleum Company and the other Working Interest Owners of the North Burbank Unit together with the United States Energy Research and Development Administration, all wells have been completed, chemicals acquired, and fresh water preflush injection has been completed. A report of the extensive reservoir studies completed on this pilot tract is presented, together with the laboratory data accumulated and the plans for continuing the test. It is anticipated that injection of the surfactant solution will be initiated about August 1, 1976.

The North Stanley Polymer Demonstration Project is a cooperative venture between Kewanee Oil Company and ERDA. The project is the result of a response to a request for proposals for secondary oil recovery by controlled waterflooding. The objective of the project (to be completed in June 1978) is to demonstrate the efficiency and economics of recovering tertiary oil from a highly heterogenous reservoir (which has been successfully waterflooded, but is nearing the economic limit) by injecting a polymer slug of tapered concentrations to improve the sweep efficiency of the reservoir. The project will be a true field test as it encompasses, 1010 productive acres and 72 million barrels of pore volume, utilizes the current producing and injection wells, and has a well-defined producing history which can be used as a baseline for judging project response. (DLC)

None

A review of geothermal drilling in the United States has revealed that serious problems are being encountered with corrosion and degradation of drilling fluids in high temperature wells. The best high temperature drilling fluids that could be formulated from commercially available materials were obtained from the five largest mud companies. These included samples of 9 and 18 lb/gal water muds and 18 lb/gal oil muds. Over 4,000 tests were conducted on these muds to evaluate their performance at high temperature. This included testing at temperatures to 550/sup 0/F and pressures to 15,000 psi. These tests revealed that most of the water muds had high viscosity, high filtration rates and poor corrosivity characteristics at temperatures above 350/sup 0/F. Although the oil muds performed better than water muds at high temperatures, some problems were encountered with viscosity at temperatures above 450/sup 0/F and with filtration at temperatures above 500/sup 0/F. Generally the corrosivity characteristics of the oil muds were much better than those of the water muds. Overall, oil muds have better temperature stability than water muds but their use is often limited because of problems with surface pollution, contamination of water zones and reservoir damage. Biodegradable oil mud systems would overcome …

This report is an environmental assessment of the proposed testing of two geopressured, geothermal aquifers in central coastal Louisiana. On the basis of an analysis of the environmental setting, subsurface characteristics, and the proposed action, potential environmental impacts are determined and evaluated together with potential conflicts with federal, state, and local programs. Oil and gas wells in coastal Louisiana have penetrated a potentially productive geothermal zone of abnormally high-pressured aquifers that also yield large volumes of natural gas. To evaluate the extent to which the geothermal-geopressured water can be used as an alternative energy source and to what extent withdrawal of geopressured water can enhance gas production, it is necessary that flow rates, composition and temperature of fluids and gases, recharge characteristics, pressures, compressibilities, and other hydrodynamic and boundary conditions of the reservoir be determined by means of production tests. Tests are further necessary to evaluate and seek solutions to technological problems.

Separate abstracts were prepared for the 4 included sections plus the 5 included appendices. (MCW)

The Mesa 6-2 drillhole penetrates 6,000 feet of sediments in Imperial County, California. The cuttings material from the upper part of the drillhole is chiefly consolidated mud and silt. Soft siltstone fragments occur at about 1,400 feet and increase in amount down to 2,400 feet. Some pebbles are found above 2,400 feet, but the pebble-rich horizons are less distinctive than the pebble zone in the Mesa 6-1 drillhole. Below 2,400 feet, cuttings are composed of about two-thirds siltstone and one-third sandstones, ranging from very fine to very coarse sand, plus loose sand grains. Although below 2,400 feet there is no systematic change in color of siltstones, grain size, or cementation with depth, horizons composed predominantly of loose sand are more common at deeper levels. Fragments of igneous and metamorphic rocks are less common than in the Mesa 6-1 drillhole. Quartz, calcite, K-feldspar, plagioclase (albite), illite, and mixed layer clays are identified by X-ray diffractograms of whole-rock samples throughout the hole. Chlorite occurs in all samples from below 2,100 feet, and probably also occurs at shallower depths. In most siltstones, montmorillonite occurs only down to the interval 2,200-2,300 feet, but in the buff siltstone it is found to the bottom of …

Drilling is integral to the exploration, development, and production of most energy resources. Oil and natural gas, which are dependent on drilling technology, together account for about 77% of the energy sources consumed in the US. Thus, the limitations of current drilling technology also restrict the rate at which new energy supplies can be found, extracted, and brought to the marketplace. The purpose of the study reported was to examine current drilling technology, suggest areas where additional research and development (R and D) might significantly increase drilling rates and capabilities, and suggest a strategy for improving drilling technology. An overview is provided of the US drilling industry. The drilling equipment and techniques now used for finding and recovering oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil, nuclear fuels, and geothermal energy are described. Although by no means exhaustive, these descriptions provide the background necessary to adequately understand the problems inherent in attempts to increase instantaneous and overall drilling rates.

Geothermal research which has been conducted on the island of Milos is reviewed and the island's geology is discussed in terms of the geodynamics of the eastern Mediterranean. The rock formations which outcrop at Milos are described in detail, including the crystalline basement, Neogene transgressive conglomerates and limestones, and the Quaternary volcanics and volcano-sedimentary series. The recent disjunctive tectonics and volcano-tectonics affecting Milos and the neighboring islands are reviewed. Thermal manifestations and their attendant mineralizations and hydrothermal alterations are described. The geophysical methods utilized in exploration and for the siting of production wells are described. Exploration work involved the drilling of 55 wells for thermometric determinations and a full scale electrical survey. Preliminary data from two production wells with bottom-hole temperatures in excess of 300/sup 0/C are reported. Fifty-four references are provided.

A third successful well in Raft River was completed, to 6000 ft, striking a 149/sup 0/C (300/sup 0/F) reservoir, at less cost than either of the other two wells, despite being drilled in a formation of lower productivity. This well employed a special multiple channel drilling technique, which in retrospect was necessary to make the well useful for production of fluids. Two successful wells of shallow depth (1200 ft) were also finished in Boise this summer, both producing artesian flows of the predicted temperature, 75/sup 0/C (167/sup 0/F). The sources in tapping both the Raft River and Boise geothermal reservoirs was followed by an extensive reservoir monitoring program. By-product uses of the Raft River geothermal water received season long testing for irrigation of crops and for fish culture. Both results were highly encouraging. In Boise, the success of the two shallow wells and some design innovations lead to the conclusion that providing geothermal space heat to the capitol and other state-owned buildings could be a major economic success if double or triple the number of buildings could be served. (MHR)

This report concludes that thick salt deposits of the Palo Duro basin, and, to a lesser extent, those of the Dalhart basin, have many features that would be favorable for underground storage of radioactive waste. The principal parameters used in evaluating these basins for radioactive-waste storage include salt thickness, depth, tectonic and seismic history, lithology, permeability, proximity to aquifers, mineral-resource content, extent of drilling and mining, and remoteness. Properties of salt (halite) that make it desirable as host rock for underground waste emplacement include its low permeability, low moisture content, high plasticity, and high gamma-ray shielding. A thickness of 200 feet of salt-bearing rock is herein considered minimal for insuring isolation of waste material that is buried 1,000 to 3,000 feet below the surface. Emplacement of radioactive-waste products can be accomplished by forming an underground cavern in a salt bed, using standard mining techniques. By creating the cavern about 1,000 to 3,000 feet below the surface, and by backfilling and sealing the cavern after the waste is emplaced, the radioactive material can be effectively isolated. The Permian salt deposits in about 50,000 square miles of the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma were studied to determine whether the region contained any …

Research progress is reported in two main sections: downhole drilling motor design and design of downhole motor seal, bearing, and test lubrication systems. Information on downhole drilling motor design is presented under the following subsection headings: Turbodrill development; positive displacement motor development; theory of Turbodrills; theory of positive displacement motors; basic motor components; forces on thrust bearings; thrust bearing design; radial bearing design; rotary seal design; sealed lubrication system; lubricants; and project status. The appendix contains information on high temperature lubricants. Information on the design of downhole motor seal, bearing, and test lubrication systems is presented under the following subsection headings: seal, bearing, and lubrication test design criteria; basic test conditions; independent and dependent variable parameters; alternative concepts for seal test apparatus; design of the seal test system; and bearing test system description. A schedule for remaining tasks is included. (JGB)

An environmental assessment is made of the proposed testing of two geopressured, geothermal aquifers in central coastal Louisiana. On the basis of an analysis of the environmental setting, subsurface characteristics, and the proposed action, potential environmental impacts are determined and evaluated together with potential conflicts with federal, state, and local programs. (LBS )

Workshop proceedings included the following: (1) During the Overview Session some papers, among others, discussed 'Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Research' and 'Geothermal Reservoir Engineering in Industry'; (2) Session I, Reservoir Physics, included papers on 'Steam Zone Temperature Gradients at the Geysers' and 'Water Influx in a Steam Producing Well'; (3) Session II, Well Testing, included papers on 'Borehole Geophysics in Geothermal Wells--Problems and Progress' and 'Herber-Pressure Interference Study'; (4) Session III, Field Development, included papers on 'A Reservoir Engineering Study of the East Mesa KGRA' and 'Determining the Optimal Rate of Geothermal Energy Extraction'; (5) Session IV, Well Stimulation, included papers on 'Fluid Flow Through a Large Vertical Crack in the Earth's Crust' and 'Explosive Stimulation of Geothermal Wells'; and (6) Session V, Modeling, included papers on 'Steam Transport in Porous Media' and 'Large-Scale Geothermal Field Parameters and Convection Theory.'

The design considerations and guideline documents given define the principal design requirements for a nominal 5 MW geothermal power plant of a type to permit over-the-road transport of its several modules. The power plant system defined is supplied with steam from a single flash steam separator stage, located at the plant area, and supplied with steam from two wells at nominal pressure of 3.8 Kg/cm/sup 2/ Abs (54 psia). In some cases where the content of noxious noncondensable gases is high, a shell and tube condenser would be substituted for the direct contact type condenser specified and an additional module containing an H/sub 2/S removal system would be added. Guidelines are given for the following: site preparation, collection system, plant installation, assembly, and test; turbine generator module; condenser and noncondensable gas removal module; plant control and switchgear module; cooling water circulation pump module; steam-water separator module; maintenance, office, and lavatory module; reinjection pump module; cooling tower modules; spray pond installation and piping; and auxiliary generator module. (MHR)