Fairbanks Geothermal Energy Project Final Report Page: 3 of 45
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Final Report May 2013
DE-EE0003219
Chena decided to deepen existing well #2 from 800 feet to 2700 feet. Well #2 was
chosen because it is located at the east end of the field where all the re-injecting has
previously been taking place, and because a drill rig can be set up with minimal site
work.
Chena selected Arctic Drilling to complete the drilling because of their familiarity with
the sub-terrain at Chena, and they are the only known drilling company within the
Fairbanks region that has any experience with geothermal wells. Drilling on Well #2 was
originally performed using a try-cone bit that resulted in slow progress, at times only
achieving 1 ft/hr. Arctic Drilling then switched to a water hammer with a button bit and
was able to increase their progress to 20 ft/hr. Despite encountering large formations and
difficulties in bringing the cuttings up, the project didn't use drilling mud due to the risk
of plugging up the formations.
Drilling for the re-injection was completed to 2700 feet and the casing has been cemented
in. There is 16-inch casing down to 50 feet, 12-inch casing to 500 feet, an 8-inch casing
reaching 880 feet, and an 8-inch perforated liner is placed from 880 feet to 2700 feet. A
detailed well illustration is provided in Attachment 2.
A static temperature log was taken after the well was completed and the temperature of
the well increased from 125F to 173F. Figure 1 shows the temperature profile of well
#2. At approximately 2200 feet, the temperature in well #2 has a dramatic increase of
about 30F then resumes a linear relationship to the depth reaching the highest
temperature at the deepest portion of the well. This higher temperature at the bottom 400
feet section of the well will allow Chena to re-inject water into warmer fractures which
should speed up the reheating of the geothermal water.
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Karl, Bernie. Fairbanks Geothermal Energy Project Final Report, report, May 31, 2013; United States. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc832426/m1/3/: accessed April 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.