Exploration and Development of the Heber Geothermal Field, Imperial Valley, California
- Key words
- Exploration Wells; Geophysics; Oil & Gas Prospects; USA; California; Heber; Gravity; Seismic; Resistivity; Thermal Gradient; Ground Noise; Spontaneous Potential; Directional Drilling; Chevron Resources Company; SCE
- Location
- Heber, California; Imperial Valley
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1979
- Session
- Exploration; Geophysical surveys; Power plant design and ope
- Language
- English
Abstract
Initial interest in the Heber area in Southern California was an oil and gas prospect. Interest changed to the geothermal potential when high thermal gradients were discovered in shallow holes. During the exploration program, several geophysical surveys were run: gravity, reflection seismic, resistivity, ground noise, and spontaneous potential. However, temperature holes up to 500 feel deep provided the best data for picking the exploratory well location. Sixteen wells now outline a convective plume of hot water in a predominately sand reservoir. Initial development is planned in two zones: 2000 to 4000 feet and 4000 to 6000 feet. Producing wells will be directionally drilled from "islands" on the periphery. An operating unit has been formed and a contract signed with Southern California Edison to build a 50 MW generating plant, to be operating in 1982.
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