Simulated Geothermal Drilling Noise Study

Abstract

Geothermal drilling noise was simulated at potential wellsites located in Republic Geothermal, Inc.'s Robbin-Perini Hill Project area in Lake County, California. The noise levels at selected receptor sites located in the project's vicinity were recorded an compared with worst case noise impacts predicted by spherical spreading and molecular absorption modeling calculations. The results indicate that noise attenuation was greater than predicated at receptor sites in close proximity due to the shielding ridges, as was generally less than predicted at other receptor sites due apparently to the unique atmospheric conditions present at the time of the testing. Reduction of the emanating noise source produced a less than equal reduction in the measured noise at the receptor sites.