High-temperature geothermal well design

Abstract

This paper presents methods which are used for determining the design conditions for high-temperature geothermal wells. Basic information, such as geological conditions and types of reservoirs, is presented. The emphasis is on casing design for high-temperature geothermal wells including casing loads such as collapse and burst pressures, determination of the minimum depth of casings, etc. For a “worst possible case” where no actual data is available, the boiling point curve is used. Collapse pressure is often what determines the casing wall thickness. A well simulation model can be a powerful tool for predicting the temperature and pressure along the well axis. The temperature and pressure for a flowing and a shut-in well comprises the primary basis for casing design.