Borehole Temperature Survey Analysis Hot Dry Rock Geothermal Reservoir

Abstract

The Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) has been actively investigating the potential for extracting geothermal energy from hot dry rock. A man made geothermal reservoir has been formed at the Fenton Hill Test site in northern New Mexico. The 10-MW (thermal) prototype energy extraction circulation loop has been completed and has been continuously operating since January 28 of this year. The performance of the Phase I 100-h circulation experiment would establish technological assessment of the particular hot dry rock geothermal reservoir. The major parameters of interest include equipment operations, geochemistry, water loss, and reservoir thermal drawdown. Temperature measurements have been used extensively as one method to study the man made geothermal reservoir. The temperature probe is one of the less complex wellbore survey tools that is readily fielded to allow on line analysis of changing conditions in the hydraulic fracture system. Several downhole temperature instruments have been designed and fabricated for us in the GT-2/EE-1 wellbores.