by - usgs · water in the parachute creek member is under artesian pressure. the upper part of the...
TRANSCRIPT
, TEI-870NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS PEACEFUL
APPLICATIONS (TID-4500, 43rd. Ed.)Category UC-35
UNITED STATESDEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Preliminary report on the geology, geophysics and hydrology of USBM/AEC Colorado core hole
No. 2, Piceance Creek Basin, Rio Blanco County, Colorado*
By
John R« Ege, R. D. Carro^l, and F. A. Welder
March 1967
Report TEI-870
This report is preliminary and has not been edited or reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey format and nomenclature.
^Prepared on behalf of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission,
JUN 2 1967
Page
ABSTRACT 1
GEOLOGY, by John R. Ege 3
Introduction-- * - 3
Lithology of core - 3
Structural and engineeriA/£- f>&p£/*7~ie8 of the core 6
GEOPHYSICS, by R. D. Carrot*- - 11
Introduction - 11
Resistivity logs 12
Radiation logs - - - 14
Determinations of oil V/^^ - - 15
HYDROLOGY, by P. A. WeW£* - 23
Introduction-- --- ..-- -* . -._ . 23
Pumping tests using p/)£*r^4S» - .-..- .-- . 26
Deep-well current-tt^^-ft-Kvey - - 47
Quality of water-- --- - 47
REFERENCES 52
TABLES
Page
Table 1. Lithologic log of USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2 In pocket
2. Engineering properties of USBM/AEC Colorado core holeNo. 2 7
3. Comparison of oil yields from geophysical logs withFischer assays- --- - - -- 18
4. Specific conductance, temperature and discharge rateof water during coring-- - -- 24
5. Water level measurements during test no. 1-- - ----- £9
6. Water level measurements during test no. 2- 34
7. Water level measurements during test no. 3-- -- 39
8. Chemical analyses of ground water between 900-1,200 feetin depth ------ - ----- ... ... . . ._- 49
9. Chemical analyses of ground water between 1,500-2,100feet in depth-- ---- -- - ......... 5^
ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure 1. Location map of USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2-- 4
2. Division of USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2 intoengineering subunits ------ >- -- -- -- -- Q
3. Geophysical logs of USBM/AEC Colorado core hole .No, 2---^" --*-- -- .-In pocket
4. Relation of water discharge, water temperature andspecific conductance to well depth------ -- ---- £5
5. Post pumping recovery data between 411-2,100 feet - 27
6. Water level measurements during test no. 1 -- 32
ILLUSTRATIONS Cont inued
Page
Figure 7. Water level measurements during test no. 2------- 37
8. Water level measurements during test no. 3 42
9. Water level measurements during test no. 4 - 44
10. Drawdown data between 411-2,100 feet, test no. 4------ 45
11. Post pumping recovery data between 411-2,100 feet, 46 test no. 4 -
12. Results of deep-well current-meter survey - 48
UNITED STATESDEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE GEOLOGY, GEOPHYSICS, AND HYDROLOGYOF USBM/AEC COLORADO CORE HOLE NO, 2,PICEANCE CREEK BASIN,
RIO BLANCO COUNTY, COLORADO
By
John R. Ege, R. D* Carroll, and F. A. Welder
Abstract
Approximately 1,400 feet of continuous core was taken.between 800-2,214 feet in depth from USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2* The drill site is located in the .Picean.ce Creek basin, Rio Blanco County, Colorado* From ground surface the drill hole penetrated 1,120 feet of the Evacuation Creek Member and 10094 feet of oil shale in the Parachute Creek Member of the Green River Formation* Oil shale yielding more than 20 gallons.per ton occurs between 1,260-2,214 feet in depth* A gas explosion near the bottom of the hole resulted in abandonment of the exploratory hole which was still in oil shale* The top of the nahcolite zone is at 1,693 feet. Below this depth the core contains common to abundant amounts of sodium bicarbonate salt intermixed with oil shale 0 .The core is divided into seven structural zones that reflect changes in joint intensity, core loss and broken core due to natural causes* The zone of poor core recovery is in the interval between l s 300-1,450 feet.
Results of preliminary geophysical log analyses indicate that oil yields determined by Fischer assay compare favorably with yields determined by geophysical log analyses. There is strong evidence that analyses of complete core data from Colorado core holes No. 1 and No.. 2 reveal a reliable relationship between geophysical log response and oil yield.
The quality of the logs is poor in the rich shale section and the possibility of repeating the logging program should be considered*
Observations during drilling, coring, and hydrologic testing of USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2 reveal that the Parachute Creek Member of the Green River Formation is the principal aquifer and the
water in the Parachute Creek Member is under artesian pressure. The upper part of the aquifer has a higher hydrostatic head than, and is hydro logically separated from,, the lower part of the aquifer. The transmissionity of the aquifer is about 3500 gpd per foot* The maximum water yield of the core hole during testing was about 500 gpnu Chemical analyses of water samples indicate that the content of dissolved solids is low, the principal ions being sodium and bicar bonate. Although the hole was originally cored' to a depth of 2,214 feet, the present depth is about 2,100 feet.
This report presents a preliminary evaluation of dore examination, geophysical log interpretation and Ipiydrological' tests from the USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2. The cooperation of the U.S. Bureau of (fines is gratefully acknowledged. The reader is referred to Carroll and others (1967) for comparison of USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 1 with USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2.
GEOLOGY
By
John R« Ege
Introduction
The San Francisco office of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEG/SAN)
requested that the U.S. Geological Survey investigate and interpret the
geologic, geophysical and hydrologic conditions at the USBM/AEC
Colorado core hole No. 2 site. The location of the drill hole is in
the SW 1/4, NW 1/4, NE 1/4 sec. 14, T. IS., R. 99 W. ;at a .
ground elevation of 6,597 feet above sea level (fig. 1). The
6-3/4-inch hole, drilled to a total depth of 2,214 feet, had 100 percent
core taken below 800 feet. A gas explosion near the bottom of the
hole resulted in abandonment of the site. Unfortunately the explora
tory hole did not penetrate the total thickness of the oil shale
section.
Lithology of core
Approximately 1,400 feet of core, taken between depths of
800-2,214 feet, were examined (table 1). The core consists of
mar1stone with varying amounts of kerogen, siltstone, sandstone, and
occasional tuff. Common to abundant amounts of nahcolite (sodium
bicarbonate salt) occur below 1,693 feet; however, indications of
nahcolite and nahcolite vugs appear in sparse quantity below
1,100 feet in depth. The color of the core ranges from yellowish
RIOOW R97 W
0 t 4 fm.gj
USSM/AEC Cote.Mlt Mi.2
Fijur* 1, Location £ USBM/AEC Coloraio cor* hole No. 2, lio llanco County, Colorado *
4
gray through pale brown to dusky brown. Oil shale in the Piceance
Creek basin is defined as kerogenous marIstone that yields at least
3 gallons of shale oil per ton of rock (L. Trudell, USBM oral
connmin., 1966).
The continuous oil shale section in the core starts at about
1,120 feet in depth, the approximate contact between the Evacuation
Creek Member and Parachute Creek Member of the Green River Formation
of Eocene age. The overlying Evacuation Creek Member consistse
generally of silicious sandstone, siltstone and shale. The Parachute
Creek Member consists generally of marlstone. The bulk of the oil
shale section is in the Parachute Creek Member. The top of the rich
oil shale, that is the oil shale yielding more than 20 gallons per
ton, id at 1,260 feet. Two distinctive and commonly used geophysical
horizons, the A and B markers, occur at depths of 1,220 and 1,405 feet,
respectively (fig. 3).
The "nahcolite zone" or zone of abundant sodium bicarbonate salt
begins at a depth of 1,693 feet (table 1). The nahcolite occurs
mostly as radiating crystals in vugs as much as 6 inches in diameter.
At 1,998 feet there is a 6-inch bed of nahcolite, and between
1,828-1,950 feet there is an interval of generally sparse nahcolite.
Vugs in sparse quantity also occur between 1,100-1,693 feet, however,
most of them contain no nahcolite* Apparently tfce nahcolite from
1,100-1,693 feet has been removed, possibly by solution.
Joint fillings consist of carbonate, pyrite, and iron oxide.
Pyrite occurs between 1,050-1,600 feet in depth. Iron oxide staining
is found in the interval between 1,100-1,550 feet and carbonate filling,
occurs between 1,700-2,000 feet in depth. Table 1 presents a litho-
logic summary of the USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2.
Structural and engineering properties of the core
Criteria used to describe the structural and engineering properties
of the core are joint frequency, joint orientation, core loss and
broken rock caused by faults, shears or closely spaced joints.
Arbitrary division of the core into 50-foot intervals, beginning at
800 feet in depth, established logging units that form the basis
for lithologic description and structural and engineering property
calculations as shown in table 1.
The "index number," a summation of the joint frequency, core loss,
and broken core into one significant number, describes the engineering
character of the core (tables 1 and 2). In effect, an increasing
value of the index number indicates a corresponding increase in
joint frequency, core loss, and broken core and, therefore, decreasing
structural competency.
Figure 2 shows the index numbers for each logged 50-foot core
interval plotted as a cumulative percent curve. As the core is
lithologically nearly homogeneous, differentiation of the rock depends
Tabl
e 2, Engineering p
roperties
of su
buni
ts A t
hrough G
, US
BM/A
EC C
olorado
core
hol
e No
. 2, Ri
o Bl
anco
Cou
nty,
Co
lora
do
Sub-
unit A B C D E F G
Core
in
terval «
r (feet)
800-
1,10
0
1,10
0-1,200
1,200-1,300
1,300-
1,45
0
1,45
0-1,700
1,70
0-2,000
2,000-
2,20
0
Thickness
(fee
t)
300
100
100
150
250
300
200
Aver
age
Join
t frequency
(Joi
nts/
foot
)
0.5
0.5
0.6
0.5
0.6
0.6
0.4
Average
perc
ent
of b
roke
n co
re
<3-inch
piec
es
(percent)
34 3 25 63 24 5 2
Average
percent
of core. loss
(percent)
3 0 2 23 7 13 1
Average
index
number
(ind
ex n
umbe
r »
Joint
frequency +0,1 pe
r
cent
br
oken
co
re +
0.1
perc
ent
core
lo
ss)
0.5 + 3
.4 + 0
.3 °
4.2
0.5
+ 0.
3 +
0 »
0.8
0.6
+ 2.5 +
0.2
- 3.3
0.5 +
6.3 + 2
.3 "
9.1
0.6 +
2.4 + 0
.7 =
3.7
0.6 + 0
.5 + 1.3
- 2.
4
0.4 +
0.2 +
0.1
= 0^
7
_!/
Arbitrary
50-f
oot
intervals
Cu
mu
lativ
e p
erc
en
t (in
de
x nu
mbe
r)
ooo I
Inde
x n
um
be
r =
Join
t fr
equency
+0.1
b
roke
n
core
+
0.1
co
re
loss
i\>
w
-i*
en
o>
~j
o
o
o
o
o
o
J_______I_
______I_
______I_
______I_
______I
00 o8
o 0'
o o"
o
o _ o
o
Sub
unit
B In
dex
num
ber
over
ages
______0.8
_______
Sub
unit
C In
dex
num
ber
aver
ages
_______
3^3_
__
__
__
Subunit
0In
dex
num
ber
ave
rag
es
9.1
en
o
o
i5
' 2?
5
5' C
o »
2.
rr ;
r to
c*
£ 5
°
aj3
Q ^J
1 Ct
> o
J^
^*
a»O
.
O CO
f\
>
Ut
a.a
» <
x<0 ^
3
0
«=
c O" m
rn
o O
O
'"
5.'3
«
C
CO g
a>
^
: zr
-;
O -
x
</»
o^
<
x--k
c
\ "
CD
CO «
1
O 2 f
01 o
3
-*
° -
O -
* cr
o
po a
.
I §
§ a f
"*
cp
CD
o-
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a.O
f»
< x
rv> §- o
-t Tl
3
O.
o
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< x
CO
O
!»
rv> o
o
mainly on its structural condition. By noting changes in slope of
the cumulative percent curve, one can divide the core into subunits,
referred to as engineering units, which classify the rock according
to its structural condition. Figure 2 shows that the USBM/AEC
Colorado core hole No, 2 core has seven engineering units, A-G, indi
cating seven changes in engineering properties of the rock between
800-2,200 feet in depth.
Subunit A (800-1,100 feet) has an index number of 4.2. It is
characterized by a relatively high percentage (34 percent) of broken
core. This subunit is in the Evacuation Creek Member and consists
largely of siliceous, sometimes friable, siltstone and shale.
Subunit B (1,100-1,200) has an index number of 0.8 and is generally
competent: Joint spacing averages 6 inches and about one-half of
the recorded joints are bedding plane joints that dip less than
5° from the horizontal. This subunit straddles the Evacuation Creek-
Parachute Creek contact and includes the uppermost part of the oil
shale. Subunit C (1,200-1,300 feet) has an index number of 3.3 and
is similar to subunit A in that it has a relatively high percentage
of broken core (25 percent). The Mahogany Marker, a diagnostic tuff
bed is in this subunit. Subunit D (1,300-1,450 feet) has an index
number of 9.1 and is characterized by a high percentage of core loss
(23 percent) and broken core (63 percent). This interval may
correspond to the "zone of poor recovery" found in drill holes
elsewhere in the Piceance Creek basin (K. E. Stanfield, USBM, oral
coomun., 1966). Subunit E (1,450-1,700 feet) has an index number
of 3.7. It is similar to subunit C except that it has a slightly
higher core loss. Subunit F (1,700-2,000 feet) has an index
number of 2.4 and is characterized by a moderate amount of core
loss (13 percent) and low percentage of broken core (5 percent).
Subunit F lies in the upper part of the zone of abundant nahoolite,
The core loss may be due to leaching of the nahcolite from the
rock by ground water. The interval contains abundant nahcolite
vugs many of which are barren. Subunit G has an index number of
0.7 and is in very competent rock from which many unbroken core
lengths of at least 5 feet were recovered. G also lies in the
zone of abundant nahcolite; 6-inch vugs containing radiating salt
crystals are characteristic of this unit. Table 2 summarizes the
engineering and structural condition of the core.
10
GEOPHYSICS
By
R. D. Carroll
Introduction
Geophysical logs were obtained to a depth of 2,157 feet in the
USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2. The logs and other pertinent
characteristics of the formations penetrated are shown in figure 3.
All depths mentioned in this section refer to the depths shown in
figure 3. These log-reference depths are 11 feet greater than the
true depth below ground level because the logs were referenced to
the Kelly bushing on the drill rig.
The logs reflect certain objectionable features in quality control;
specifically insufficient sensitivity of the caliper log run with the
sonic log, the complete insensitivity of the neutron log response in
the rich oil shale section, and the absence of a logging speed notation
on the density log.
Detailed analyses of all data pertinent to log interpretation in
USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 1 and USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2
are not yet available. However, there are certain salient features on
the logs which deserve discussion.
11
Resistivity logs
The resistivity logs (induction and laterolog), in theory, respond
to the presence of moisture in the formation, other things being equal.
Because the apparent moisture content is considered extremely low in
many intervals, the response shown on these logs requires some
discussion.
The induction log in oil shale has been considered by Bardsley
and Algermissen (1963) to record abnormally low values of resistivity
considering the water content of the oil shale. They attribute this
phenomenon to the fact that the response of the induction log does not
discriminate between interbeds as thin as those that exist in portions
of the oil shale. This results in a concentration of current in the
more conductive zones, yielding abnormally high apparent conductivities
on the log.
The bed resolution of the induction log is about 40 inches, whereas
the laterolog run in USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2 has a bed-
thickness resolution of about 12 inches. Because the former log
measures conductivity and records the reciprocal (resistivity), the
response becomes less sensitive as resistivity increases. The recorded
value consequently becomes asymptotic at high resistivities, resulting
in "flat-topping" which can be seen in figure 3 to occur at about
570 ohm-meters on the induction log. Because of the generally high
resistivities encountered in sections of the oil shale, this type of
12
record is typical on induction logs run in the oil shale in the Piceancs
Creek Basin,
A careful scrutiny of the logs indicates that differences between
the responses of the induction log and laterolog are only apparent,
and are caused chiefly by the visual effect of the difference in ssale
sensitivity* Detailed examination indicates that both electric logs
probably raflect moisture differences in thin sections and, although
the laterolog has a greater bed thickness resolution (1 foot) than the
induction log (40 inches) s either log adequately defines the changes
in resistivity throughout the section. The coincidence of the values
of the resistivities indicated by the electric logs in the low rs«sis«
tivity zones indicates the log response is probably not a result of
inadequate bed resolution.
It is concluded that the low resistivity zones are caused by
raspor.SB of the electric logs to the effects of moisture in the section.
Tfe® conclusions reached by Bardsley and Algermissen on the response
of ths induction log are not considered applicable in this hols-.
Above 1,650 feet the more prominent low-resistivity zones in th.s
continuous oil-shale section represent intervals of lean shale., generally
assaying less than 7 gallons/ton. The log response is probably due to
the presence of some moisture in the pores of the rock in these interval-®.
Prominent resistivity lows on the laterolog below that dsp^h are not
similarly corrslatabls. It is probable that the relatively low-
resistivity excursions in these intervals,, may represent the effect of
w£tsr contained in fractures.
13
Because of the less sensitive resistivity scale of the laterolog
(100 ohm-meters on half a trace as opposed to a full trace for the
same deflection on the induction log) geologic "noise" is suppressed
and the B groove at 1,400 feet is more evident on this log (fig. 3).
Radiation logs
Gamma-ray log
The observation by Bardsley and Algermissen (1963) that the
response of the gamma-ray log is, in a qualitative manner, inversely
related to the yield of oil-shale, is supported by the response of
this log in the USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No, 2,
A comparison of three available gamma-ray logs in the oil-shale
section (USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 1, USBM/AEC Colorado core
hole No. 2, and Texaco 1 s Fawn Creek unit No. 3, sec. 27, T, 3 S.,
R. 98 W a ) indicates that an easily recognizable correlation zone exists
on these logss in USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2 S it is the high-
radiation zone 1 3 340 to 1,720 feet (fig. 3). The small high-radiation
precursor (l s 340-1,375) that initiates this zone and the high ganma°ray
kick that indicates the Black Marker are also typical of this zone on
the other gamma-ray logs examined (compare 1,190-1,740 feet) in the
USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 1 (Carroll and others, 1965) . In
referencing the. B groove^ the gamma-ray log may be worth considering
in lieu of the electric log for character correlation.
14
Neutron log
Because of the improper selection of scales mentioned earlier 8 the
nsutron log is not usable in the rich oil shale section below 1,380 feet
Above 1,380 feet a gross correlation seems to exist between increased
neutron count rate and decreased oil yield as observed by Bardsley and
Algerinissen (1963) .
Determinations of oil yield
Assays of oil yield (table 3) were made in the shale section based
on density and velocity logs, using methods previously reported/// /
(Carroll and others, rft6*8). The density and sonic logs obtained in the
present hole, however, were affected to a greater extent by adverse
local conditions than those obtained in the USBM/AEC Colorado core
hole No, 1. This is due to a combination of borehole rugosity and
thin interbeds in the rich shale section. These conditions cause a
log response that, in general, tends to give optimistic values for
the oil yield in this interval.
Abrupt changes in the diameter of the hole cause the sonic and
density logs to read lower than the true value. "Compensation"
davices in these intervals are not reliable, and when interpreting,
the interval should be either ignored or evaluated using "smoothing"
or other techniques. Log interpretation in these cases becomes a
matter of judgement based on experience. An example may be found in
15
the interval below 2,100 feet in USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No, 2 S
which is highly caved as a result of a gas explosion during drilling
(fig. 3). In this interval the density log recorded values close to
the density of water in several places, although a compensation
corraction is indicated which gives the erroneous impression that a
valid density may be obtained. The nature of commercial density-
logging equipment at present is such that a density value interpreted
for this caved interval could only be an educated guess based upon
the response in a relatively uniform intervals, for example s the interval
between 2 S 150=2,, 165 feet. Other examples of zones where density
interpretations are not valid occur at 1,988 feet and 2,001 feet. At
these depths the caliper log is not sufficiently sensitive to detect
the caved intervals. Whenever one notes triangular-shaped responses
on the caliper log, such as those near the bottom of the log in this
hole3 it is advisable to check a number of other logs to be sure that
extensive caving has not occurred which is only suggested by the
response of the caliper log.
The raspor.s© of density logs is so sensitive to hole=diameter
changes that in future oil=shale evaluation logging it is advisable
that a three=arm caliper be used rather than a bow-spring caliper tool.
Hole diameter changes also adversely affect the sonic-log response by
causing cycle skipping resulting from time delays in triggering. Other
f£ctors affecting these logs are the thickness, and the density and
16
velocity contrasts of the beds. The sonic log run in USBM/AEC Colorado
core hole No. 2 has an ideal bed resolution of 2 feet. Consequently,
beds less than 2 feet thick will yield values of apparent-velocity
higher or lower than the true velocity depending on the velocity of
surrounding beds. A dual~rec®iver sonic log with a 1-foot receiver
spacing is preferable to a 2-= foot receiver spacing in the oil shale.
The response of the density log in thin beds is also dependent on
instrument time-constant and logging speed as well as thickness and
density contrast. Difficulties involving these features were encountered
in attempting to interpret the logs in the basal portion of the hole.
However, it was possible to use geophysical logs to estimate oil yields
throughout most of the hole.
Table 3 presents a comparison of oil assays obtained by log-
interpretation methods with Fischer Essay data supplied by the Bureau
of Mines. The Fischer assays listed in table 3 are unweighted averages
of values obtained over 10-foot interv&ls throughout the section. It
is felt that this procedure furnishes a good first approximation of
the accuracy of the interpretation method. A more exhaustive examina
tion will be made when assay data from USBM/AEC Colorado core hole
No. 1 are available.
The oil yield in the continuous oil-sh&le section, as determined
from the geophysical logs, compares favorably with the Fischer assay
data to a first approximation. The response of the logs certainly
17
Table
3.""Compartson of
yi
eld
of oil
shal
e as de
term
ined
fr
om geophysical
logs
wi
th Fischer
in US
BM/A
EC Colorado co
re h
ole
No.
2
Interval
(fee
t)
1,000-1,068
1,068-1,130
1,130-1,260
1,260-1,580
1,580-1,710
1,710-1,870
1,870-2,110
2,110-2,160
Leng
th
(fee
t) 68 62 130
320
130
160
240 50
Aver
age
log-
indicated
dens
ity
(gms
/cc)
2.37
2.19
2.30
2.17
2.24
1.98 < No vali(
Average
log-
indicated
soai
c travel
time
Gfse
c/ft
)
76.5
100.
3
84.4
101.
8
103.
2
123
115t
i in
ter pretati
Oil
yield
in gallons/ton
base
d on data of:
Smit
h density
15.8
27.0
19.8
28.3
23.6
42.5
0,
on poss
Bard
sley
and
Alge
rmis
sen
Density
15.8
25.2
18.1
26.5
22.0
38.9 m
Lble
due
Soni
c travel ti
me
7.3
24.5
12.5
25.8
26.8
45.4
37.5
?
to caved hole
Fischer
retort
analyses 27
6.8
3.4
12.0 9
24. 1
20.3
37.2
36.3
37.5
Remarks
Top
of co
ntin
uo
us oil
shale
at 1,
120.
Indi
cati
ons
on
logs that hoi*
is mo
re; rugose
than is
in
di
cate
d by
cali
per
logs.
Highly erratic
log re
spon
se
due
to co
mbin
at
ion
of thin
beds and hole
rugosity.
Gros
s es
tima
tebased
on"s
moot
hing
."
Logs in
dica
te
hole
is mo
reru
gose
than
indicated' by
caliper
logs.
oo
Foot
notes
on p
. 19
Footnotes
to t
able 3
.
Jl/
Dept
h re
fere
nce
(geoph
ysic
al lo
g) 11
feet ab
ove
grou
nd level; subt
ract
11 fe
et fo
r tr
ue d
epth
.
21
Based
on u
nwei
ghte
d aver
ages
of c
ore
over
10-foot
intervals.
J3/
Base
d on a
ssumed 4
gal/ton
aver
age
assay
in B
gr
oove
which w
as n
ot Fischer-assayed.
Aver
age
retort an
alys
es excl
usiv
e of
B gr
oove
is
14.7 gal/ton.
indicates that a more detailed analysis of all log and core data from
USBM/AEC Colorado core holes No. 1 and No. 2 may be expected to con
tribute to the development of A more reliable method of obtaining an
estimate of oil yield.
The first two intervals listed in table 3, although above the
continuous oil-shale section, are included because they were arbitrarily
evaluated in the preliminary estimate of the yield which was submitted
by letter to those concerned. The interval below 1,710 feet has also
been r&examined.
. The oil-yield comparisons data in table 3 tend to corroborate the
analyses of Bardsley and Algermissen. However, an extensive evaluation
of a thick section of oil shale in an area of thick overburden (such
as existed in USBM/AEC Colorado core holes No. 1 and No. 2) is desirable
because Bardsley and Algermissen's data were obtained from only 300 feet
of oil shale near the surface. The only other log analyses of oil yield
published (Baldwin and others, 1966) were restricted to an oil-shale
section of less than 100 feet thick and relied upon the relationships
established by Bardsley and Algermissen to calibrate the density logs
used in the study. The oil-yield obtained by Baldwin and others (1966)
was consistently lower than the yields shown by the Fischer assay. On
the other hand, it will be noted that the log-determined oil yields
given in table 3 are consistently higher than the yields determined by
Fischer retort analyses.
20
The fact that the oil yields determined using Smith's density
relationship (Smith, 1958) are higher than those obtained by the other
methods does not necessarily imply the inappropriateness of Smith's
equation because density log responses should be calibrated in the
media of interest. A comparison of actual core densities with densities
determined from density logs is required. Smith (oral commun., 1966)
also considers it possible that accessory minerals in the oil shale,
for example nahcolite 9 may yield erroneous assays based on density-oil
yield relationships.
In summary, the geophysical log data appear to indicate the
following:
(1) A more detailed examination of core data and log data is
desirable when complete data from USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 1
and USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2 are available.
(2) The possibility of obtaining a reliable relationship between
oil yield (as well as other significant parameters) and geophysical
logs in the oil shale is strongly suggested.
(3) Extreme care must be exercised in logging oil-shale holes
and in controlling quality of the logs.
(4) If possible, a more sensitive caliper log should be obtained
in the oil-shale section below 1,700 feet in USBM/AEC Colorado core
hole No. 2. If the results indicate that the hole is not excessively
caved, relogging for density and sonic velocity with slower logging
speeds should be attempted.
21
(5) The poor quality of the logs in the oil-rich shale section in
USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2, negates to a large extent, meaningful
interpretations in this section.
22
HYDROLOGY
By
F. A. Welder
Introduction
Drilling of the USBM/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2 began June 24,
1966, using compressed air at 90 psi. Air, cuttings, and fluid were
discharged through a horizontal pipe 80 feet long and 6 inches in
diameter. The hole was dry to 307 feet, where the cuttings became
damp enough to plug the hole. Air pressure was then increased to
300 psi, and a mixture of soap and water was injected at about 3 gpm.
This rate of water injection was maintained until total depth was
reached except while water samples were being collected or discharge
was being measured. The upper 411 feet of the hole is cased with
7-5/8-inch (O.D.) steel pipe.
The first noticeable discharge of ground water during drilling,
about 1 gpm, was at 447 feet (table 4). Between 957 and 1,026 feet,
the discharge increased from 30 to 153 gpm, as measured by a container
and stop watch. During drilling below 1,161 feet, discharge was
measured by a 9-inch Parshall flume 100 feet downhill from the end of
the discharge pipe. Because of leakage, evaporation, and infiltration,
discharge figures obtained with the flume may be 10 percent low.
Discharge rate, temperature, and specific conductance of water
discharged with the cuttings were plotted against well depth (fig. 4).
TaMe 4.-"Specific conductance, temperature and discharge rate of waterduring coring of USBM/AEC Colorado cor« hole No. 2
* . (Dash (-) shews that «c*«urcracnt was not made)
Date 1966
6-25
6-26
6-2S
6-29
6-29
6-30
7-2
7-2
7-4
7-5
7-5
7-6
7-7
7-8
7-9
7-10
7-12
7-13
7-13
7-14
7-17
7-17
Well depth below
Kelly bushing (ft)
447
805
957
1026
1032
1161
1211
1290
1385
1423
1456
1517
1570
1673
1758
1857
1990
1990
2089
2214
2169-2214
2169-2214
Specific conductance micromhos per cm
1500
1000
950
1000
1100
960
975
875
990
990
950
990
1000
1000
1000
1000
1650
1900-
2200
Temp.
-
57
63
63
63
65
64
65
68
67
69
68
70
69
70
70
73-
74-
76
Discharge (gpm)
1
25
30
153
260
220
250
315
420
435
460
460
490
460
450
460-
510-
450
Other
First water.
L50-minutc recovery show? transni is sibil ity less than 100 pprf per ft.
Installed 9 -inch flume. Some water is lost by evapora t ion , leaka ge , and infiltration.
Static water level about 290 ft below KB.
Water contains some gas.
Static water level 315 ft ho low KB. 7 hours notpumping.
Total depth -unable to log below 2169 on 7-17-66.
Static water level 314 ft below KB after 10 hrs of no pumping. Started pumping test at 9:30 AM.
After 7 hours of pumping recovery was started at 4:30 PM.
24
teoo
2OO
O
£200
2400 L
100
2OO
3
00
4O
O
5OO
50
60
70
9OO
D
ISC
HA
RG
E,
IN G
AL
LO
NS
PE
R M
INU
TE
W
ATE
R T
EM
PE
RA
TU
RE
,IN
DE
GR
EE
S F
AH
RE
NH
EIT
KX
>0
1SO
O
20
00
S
PE
CIF
IC C
ON
DU
CT
AN
CE
, IN
MIC
RO
MH
OS
P
ER
CM
.
FIG
UR
E 4
.- G
raph
sho
win
g re
latio
n of
wat
er d
isch
arge
, wat
er t
empe
ratu
re,
find
spec
ific
cond
ucta
nce
to w
ell d
epth
, U
.S.B
.M./A
.E.C
. C
olor
ado
core
hol
e N
Between depths of 957 and 1,673 feet, the rate of increase of discharge
was greatest. During drilling below 1,673 feet, the rate of discharge
remained fairly constant although water was entering the hole below
1,673 feet, as indicated by the rise in water temperature and specific
conductance-^! th depth*
The hole was cored to 2,214 feet, but the explosion near the
bottom of the hole caused a cave-in. Coring was stopped after the
explosion, but geophysical logging was subsequently completed, showing
a depth of 2,169 feet. On August 21, 1966, the current-meter survey
showed a depth of 2,100+; feet.
The well was pumped by compressed air under 500 psi for 7 hours i i i
on July 17, 1966* After the compressors were turned off, water-level
recovery was measured at regular intervals for 1 P 000 minutes. The
water level was plotted against the log of time elapsed since pumping
ceased (fig. 5) and the transmissibility was computed to be 2,400 gpd
per foot,
Pumping tests using packers
From August 27 to August 30, 1966, pumping tests were made using
two packers to seal off a 300-foot section of the bole, A Reda sub-
mergible pump was set 5 feet below the top packer and pumped from the
interval between packers. Pumping tests were made under the following
conditions: No. 1, packers set at depths of 900 and 1,200 feet;
No. 2, packers set at depths of 1,198 and 1,498 feet; No. 3, upper
26
OW
J
32
0
UJ
UJ
U.
Z i"34
01
'm _j UJ ^3
60
N>
U|
OB tc bJ i 03
80
z Q.
UJ
O
40
0
42
0,
TR
AN
SM
ISS
IBIL
ITY
= T
*
AV
ER
AG
E D
ISC
HA
RG
E =
420 M
INU
TE
S
WA
TER
LE
VE
L C
HA
NG
E
,._
264-5
00
26
4 Q
A
s
Q =
50
0 g
pm F
OR
AB
OU
T
/LO
G C
YC
LE*
As
= 55ft.
*
T 5
5
T »
2400 g
pd/ft
»
/
-
74
'
/
(/
I
/
,
/
ss
,
)
/
9
*
'
* /i/
.
I
,'
i
^
-
t
D 5
0
100
50
0
1000
5G
TIM
E, I
N
MIN
UT
ES
S
INC
E P
UM
PIN
G S
TO
PP
ED
FIG
UR
E
5.-
Se
milo
ga
rith
mic
gra
ph o
f re
cove
ry d
ata
, a
fte
r pu
mpi
ng o
pen
hole
bet
wee
n ca
sing
and
tota
l dep
th (
411I
-2100
I±)
U.S
.B.M
./A.E
.C.
Col
orad
o co
re h
ole
No.
2,
July
17,
1966
.
packer set at 1 3 500, lower packer not used; No, 4, tested entire hole
(below casing to total depth) without using packers. Water temperature
in degrees Fahrenheit, and specific conductance in raicromhos per
centimeter were taken periodically throughout each test.
Test No, 1.--Packers set at 900 and 1,200 feet. Water-level
measurements wera mads in the zone between the bottom of the casing
and the upper packer (411-900 feet), in the zone between the packers
(900-1,200 feet), and in the zone between the bottom packer and total
dspth (l;,200-2j 100*- feet), during both the pumping and recovery
phasas of ths test (table 5). As soon as pumping started, water levsls
bsgan to fall in the zone between the bottom of the casing and the
upper packer and the zone between the packers (fig. 6), indicating
that there is hydraulic connection between the zones. Between 150 and
200 minutes after pumping started,, the water level in the zone between
ths casing and the upper packer rose 26 feet.
In the zone between the bottom packer and total depth, the water
bsgan to decline slowly 8 minutes after pumping started and after
30 minutes declined rapidly. The decline continusd throughout the
test., probably because the lower packer shut off recharge from a
higher zor.a.
23
Tabl
e 5
Wate
r-le
vel me
asur
emen
ts during
test
No
. 1, US
BM/A
EC Co
lora
do core hole N
o. 2
Augu
st 27
. 19
66
Time
(rain)
a
\o Pu
mp on
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 15 20 25 30 40 50 60
Zone
be
twee
n casing
and
uppe
r pa
cker
(411-
900
ft)
Elec
tric
line
depth
towater
below
meas
urin
gpo
int
(ft) b
: Au
gust
27
249.2
294.
3
304.
5
309.
6
312.
1
313.
5
314.
1
314.
6
317.
0
318.2
318.
9
320.
3
321.4
322.3
Change in
wate
rle
vel
(dra
wdow
n)(ft) c
. 19
66,
11:C
0 45.1
55.3
60.4
62.9
64.3
64.9
65.4
67.8
69.0
69.7
71.1
72.2
73.1
Zone be
twee
n packers
(900-1200
ft)
Air
gaug
epr
essu
reon
900
ftai
rlin
e(psi)
d
0 a .m.
, avei
255
242
240
238
236
235
235
235
234
233
233
232
232
232
Pres
sure
chan
ge(p
si)
e
aae disci
0 13 15 17 19 20 20 20 21 22 22 23 23 23
Air
gauge
pres
sure
converted
to d
epth
to wat
erbelow
measuring
point
(ft) f
large. 94 epn
311
341
346
340
355
357
357
357
359
362
362
364
364
364
Chan
ge in
wate
rlevel
(dra
wdow
n)(f
t)
2
i from z
one
0 30 35 39 44 46 46 48 51 51 53 53 53 53
Zone
bet
ween
bot
tom
pack
er a
ndtotal
dept
h(1
200
- 21
00 ± ft)
Air
gauge
pres
sure
on 12
00 ft
airl
ine
(psi
) ,
h
betw
een pad
356
356
356
356
356
355
355
355
355
355
355
354
353
353
Pres
sure
change
(psi)
i
cers
0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 3
Air
gauge
pressure
converted
to d
epth
to wat
erbelow
measuring
point
(ft) 1
378
378
378
378
378
380
380
380
380
380
380
382
385
385
Chan
ge in
water
level
(dra
wdow
n)(ft) k 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 5 7 7
Tabl
e J..
Water-level
measurements du
ring
test
No
. 1,
US
BM/A
EC Co
lora
do co
re ho
le No
. 2
(con
tinu
ed)
______August 27
. 1966________ ______ ___
Time
(min)
a 80 100
150
200
300
400
Zone between
casi
ng
and
upper
packer
(411
-
900
ft)
Electric
line
depth
towater
below
meas
urin
gpoint
(ft) b
323.4
325.
9
328.
1
302.
7
305
306.
1
Change in
wate
rle
vel
(dra
wdow
n)(f
t) c
74.2
76.7
78.9
53.5
55.8
56.9
Zone
between
packers
(900
-120
0 ft)
Air
gaug
epressure
on 90
0 ft
airl
ine
(psi)
d
232
232
230
230
232
232
Pumo of
f:
Aueu
st 27
. 1966,
5:40
p.
m.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
306.
1
292.
0
289.
8
288.
4
287.
6
286.
8
286.
2
(Residual
drawdown)
56.9
42.8
40.6
39.2
38.4
37.6
37.0
232
232
232
232
232
232
Pressure
change
(psi)
e
23 23 25 25 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23
Air
gaug
epressure
converted
to de
pth
to water
below
measuring
poin
t(ft) f
364
364
368
368
364
364
364
364
364
364
364
364
Chan
ge in
water
leve
l(d
rawd
own)
(ft) e
53 53 57 57 53 53
(Res
idua
ldr
awdo
wn)
53 53 53 53 53 53
Zone between
bottom p
acker
and
(120
0 -
2100
±
ft)
Air
gaug
epr
essu
reon
12
00 ft
a ir
1 in
e(psi)
h 351
350
347
343
336
331
334
333
333
333
333
333
333
Pressure
change
(psi)
i
5 6 9 13 20 25 22 23 23 23 23 23 23
Air
gaug
epr
essu
reco
nver
ted
to d
epth
to water
below
measuring
poin
t(f
t) 1
390
392
399
418
424
436
430
432
432
432
432
432
432
Change in
water
leve
l(d
rawd
own)
(ft) k 12 14 21 30 46 58
(Res
idua
ldr
awdo
wn)
51 53 53 53 53 53 53
Table
5.Wa
ter-
leve
l me
asur
emen
ts du
ring
test
No.
1,
UB
BM/A
EC Co
lora
do co
re hole No
. 2
(continued)
August 27
, 1966
Time
(min)
a
15 20 25 30 4060
80
100
150
200
300
Zone be
twee
n ca
sing
and
uppe
r pa
cket
(411
-900
ft
)
Elec
tric
line
depth
to water
below
meas
urin
gpoint
(ft)
b 285.5
284.6
283.
9283.3
282.4
281.2
280.4
279.8
278.8
278.
2277.4
Change in
wate
rle
vel
(Residual
draw
down
)(f
t) c 36.3
35.4
34.7
34.1
33.2
32 31.2
30.6
29.6
29.0
28.2
Zone
be
twee
n pa
cker
s (900-1,200 ft
)
Air
gaug
epressure
on 90
0 ft
airl
ine
(psi)
d 232
232
234
234
235 -
235
235
235
235
235
Pres
sure
change
(psi)
e 23 23 21
2120 -20202020
20
Air
gaug
epr
essu
reconverted
to de
pth
to water
below
meas
urin
gpoint
(ft) f 364
364
359
359
357 - 35T
357
3 57
357
357
Chan
ge in
water
level
(Res
idua
ldrawdown )
(ft) g 53 53 51 51 48-
48 48 48 48 48
Zone
between
bottom packer and
total
depth
(1^ 200-2 , 10
0± ft
)
Air
gaug
epr
essu
reon 1,20
0 ft
airline
(psi)
h 333
331
331
331
330 - 327
326
326
319
312
Pressure
change
(psi
)
i
23 25 25 25 26 -29 30 30 37 44
Air ga
uge
pressure
conv
erte
dto
de
pth
to w
ater
belo
wmeasuring
poin
t(ft) J
432
436
436
436
439 - 445
447
447
464
480
Chan
ge in
water-
leve
l(R
es r du
aldrawdown )
(ft) k 53 58 58 58 60-
67 69 69 85102
NOTE
: To
conver
t ai
r ga
uge
pres
sure
to
depth
to water in
feet:
Water
leve
l in fe
et be
low
meas
urin
g po
int
= le
ngth
of airline
in fe
et
- (p
ress
ure
in po
unds
pe
r square inch
X 2.31 fe
et of water pe
r po
und
per
square in
ch)
Drawdown in
fe
et of
water =
pressure change in pounds pe
r square in
ch X
2.31
feet
of water per pound
per
square inch.
200
AV
ER
AG
E D
ISC
HA
RG
E 9
4 g
pm
FR
OM
Z
ON
E
BE
TW
EE
N P
AC
KE
RS
PACK
***,,
9oo
Q*Q
~,2
Oo'
)
rum
p t
urn
ed
on
tr-O
Oa
.m.
Pum
p tu
rne
d
Off 5
:40
pm
.
360
400
42
0TI
ME
, IN
MIN
UTE
S
FIG
UR
E
6.-
Wqt
er-le
vel m
easu
rem
ents
dur
ing
test
No.
1,
U.S
.B.M
./A.E
.C.
480
54
06
00
63
0T
20
Col
orad
o co
re h
ole
No.
2,
Aug
ust
27,1
966.
Well discharge,, water t@nsp<srature'j, *ud specific conductance
shown
Tim® in minutes Specificsinca pumping
started
30100150300370390
Test No. 2.
Discharge(gpm)
93.488.888.897.497.497.4
Average 94
~=Fackars set at 1,198
conductance(microvhos per
1,0001,0001,0001 2 000950950
and 1,498 fast.
Temperature cm) <°F)
6566676869.568
Water-level
measurements were made in the zone between the bottom of casing and
the upper packer (411=1,198 feet), the zone between the packers
(1,198<=1,498 feet), and the zone between the bottom packer and total
depth (1.498-2,100± feet), during both the pumping and recovery
phases of the test (table 6).
During pumping, the water level in the zone between the bottom of
the casing and the upper packer, recovered consistently (fig. 7). This
was probably dua to the fact that leakage from the upper zone to a
lcw<sr zone was shut off by the packer. Water level in the zone between
the packers declined during pumping and recovered after pumping startsi.
The water level in the zone between the bottom packer and total
depth declined throughout the test except for a slight recovery
immsdiately after pumping ceased. The decline probably was the result
of recharge from a higher zone being shut off by the packers.
Table JL
Ha tar
-lev
a1 measurements
during
test
N«.
2, US1M/AEC C
eler
ade
care
hale
Ne.
2 Au
gust
2t
.
Tisa
ato
la)
a fffiBB
ff fl
2 4 6 ! 12 15 29 25 36 49 56
Zen
e be
twee
n ca
sing
anil
uppe
r pa
cker
(411
-U98
ft
)E
lect
ric
line
dept
h t&
wat
erfe
e lot
?m
aa c
uri
ng
pai
nt
(ft) b
i:
Aue
uat
2
274.
5
241.
3
256.
9
255.
1
254.
5
254.
9
253.
5
252.
9
252.
1
251.
525
1.9
259.
9
249.
4
Qia
nge
inw
ater
lev
el(r
ecov
ery)
(ft) c
1.
1966
. 3:
00
9.9
13.2
18.5
19.4
29.0
20.5
21.0
21.6
22.4
23.0
23.5
24.5
25.1
Zetie
bet
wee
n pa
cker
s (1
198-
1498
ft
)
Air
gau
gepr
easu
re a
900
ft
air
lin
e(p
ai)
4
9 .19
* .
ft ver
.
399
399
385
381
379
378
377
378
378
377
376
374
373
Pre
ssur
ech
ange
(pai
)
e
12
djj
eh
9 8 13 17 19 29 21 29 29 21 22 24 25
Air
ga
uge
pres
sure
.ce
nver
ted
ta d
epth
ta w
ater
be la
wae
aauri
agpa
-lot
(ft) f
irce
88.
8 CD
I
278
297
399
318
323
325
328
325
325
328
339
334
336
Cha
nge
invat
erle
vel
(dra
wdc
wa)
(ft) t
n fr
om z
^nq
9 18.5
39 39 43 46 4? 46 46 47 51 55 58
Zan
e be
twee
n bet
tea
pack
er a
ndC
t)ta
l de
pth
(149
9 -
2199
± f
t).
Air
gau
gepr
60 su
reen
159
9 ft
air
line
(pai
)
b
betw
een
sac
464
462
461
461
469
469
46*
459
459
458
457
456
454
Pre
ssur
ech
ange
(P»i
)
i
cerq
9 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 3 6 7 6 1®
Air
gau
gepr
easu
rece
aver
ted
te d
epth
te w
iter
be la
vau
aait
ring
peim
t(f
t) 1
426
431
433
433
435
435
435
438
438
449
443
446
449
Cha
nge
inw
ater
lev
el(d
raw
dew
n)(f
t) k 9 4.5 7 7 9 9 9 12 12 14 16 18 S3
Tabl
e A.
Wate
r-le
vel measurements during
test
No.
2,
US
BM/A
EC Co
lora
do c
ore hole Ne
. 2
(con
tinu
ed)
Augu
st 28
. 19
66
Time
(min)
p. 60 80 100
159
299
259
399
Zene
be
twee
n ca
sing
and
upper
packer
(411
-119
8 ft
)Electric
line
depth
t«wa
ter
below
measuring
peint
(ft) b
243.8
247.9
247.1
245.
8
244.8
244.
0
243.4
Chan
ge in
wate
rlevel
(recovery)
(ft) c
25.7
26.6
27.4
28.7
29.7
30.5
31.1
Zone
bet
ween
pac
kers
(1
198*
1498
ft
)
Air
gauge
pressure
on 900
ftairline
(psi
)
d
372
372
372
371
369
367
365
Pimp of
f:
August 28
, 19
66.
8:89
».r
a.
2 4 6 8 12
243.
4
243.4
243.4
-
243.4
31.1
31.1
31.1 - 31.1
368
36®
369
370
372
Pres
sure
change
(psi
)
e 26 26 26 27 29 31 33 39 30 29 28 26
Air
gaug
epressure
conv
erte
dto
dep
thto
water
below
meas
urin
gpoint
(ft) f
339
339
339
341
346
359
354
348
348
346
343
339
Chan
ge in
wate
rlevel
(drawdown)
(ft) g
69 69 60 62 67 72 76
(Residual
drawdown)
69 69 67 65 60
Zone b
etween b
ottom
packer a
ndto
tal
depth
(149
8 -
2100 ±
ft)
Air
gaug
epr
essu
re a 1
500
ftai
rlin
e(psi)
h
453
451
450
446
449
439
435
449
439
439
438
440
Pressure
chan
ge(p
si)
i 11 13 14 IS 24 25 29 24 25 25 26 24
Air
gauge
pres
sure
converted
to d
epth
te water
belo
wme
asur
ing
poin
t(f
t)1
451
557
458
469
483
485
490
483
485
485
486
483
Chan
ge in
wate
r.la
ve 1
(drawdown)
(ft) k
25 39 32 42 55 58 67
(Res
idu
a 1
draw
down
)
55 59 58 53 S6
CJ Ul
Tabl
e £_
Wate
r-le
vel measurements during
test
No
. 2, US
BM/A
EC Co
lora
do core ho
le No.
2 (c
onti
nued
) Au
gust
28
, 19
66
Time
(min)
$ 15 ae 25 3d 40 50 69 80 100
150
200
360
Zone between
casi
ngand
upper
packer
(471-1198
ft)
Elec
tric
line
depth
towater
be lo
t?measuring
point
(ft) b
243.4
- - - 243.1
- - 243.0
- 242.
2
241.
9
241.1
Change in
water
leve
l(r
ecov
ery)
(ft) c
31.1 - - - 31.4 - - 31.0 - 32.3
32.6
33,4
Zone between
pack
ers
(119
8-14
98 ft
)
Air
gaug
epr
essu
reea 9
00 f
tairline
(psi)
d
372
373
372
371
371
371
375
375
372
371
370
370
Pres
sure
change
(psi)
e
26 25 26 27 27 27 23 23 26 27 28 28
Air
gaug
epr
essu
reconverted
to d
epth
t® water
belo
wme
asur
ing
poin
t(ft) f
339
336
339
341
341
341
332
332
339
341
343
343
Chan
ge in
water
level
(dra
wdow
n)(ft) e
(residual
drawdown)
60 58 60 62 62 62 53 53 6® 62 65 65
Zone
between
bottom packer an
dto
tal
dept
h(1
498
- 21
00 ±
ft)
Air
gaug
epr
essure
on 15
00 ft
airl
ine
(psi)
h
440
439
439
437
433
432
429
426
424
419
414
405
Pres
sure
change
(psi)
i
24 25 25 27 31 32 35 38 40 45 50 59
Mr ga
uge
pressure
converted
to de
pth
to wa
ter
below
meas
urin
gpo
int
(ft) 1
483
485
485
489
493
500
50S
514
518
528
539
562
Change ic
water
leve
l(d
rawd
own
(ft)
k
(res idual
drawdown)
56 33 5$ 62 72 74 81 88 93 102
113
136
t*» o\
DEPTH TO WATER BELOW TOP OF CASING, IN FEET
Well discharge, water temperatures, and specific conductance are
shown belows
Time in minutes since pumping started
DischargeSpecific
conductance(microtnhos per cm)
Temperature
15305080150200290
Test No,
88.888,888.888.888.8......
Average 88.8
3 .--The upper packer set at
1,000900950950925950900
1 S 500 feet,
697071.5737473.574
and the lower
packer not used. The core hole from 1,500 to total depth was pumped
during the test (table 7). Water level in the zone above the upper
packer rose gradually throughout the test, suggesting that the packer
was holding and that hydrologic connection was negligible (figo 8).
Well discharge, water temperature, and specific conductance are
shown below;
Time in minutes since pumping
bea&nDischarge
Specificconductance Temperature
(micromhos per cm) (®F)
13234080
150250300
84,880.380.372.772.768.779
950950950
1,050950
1,0001,000
676869.571727273
Average 74
Tab
le J
LW
ater
-lev
el m
easu
rem
ents
duri
ng
test
No.
3,
USB
M/A
EC
Colo
rado
core
ho
le
No.
2
____________A
ugust
29,
19
66
__
__
__
__
_
Time
(m
in)
a
Zone between
casi
ng
and
uppe
r packer
(411
-150
0 ft)
Electric
line
depth
to
water
below
meas
urin
g point
(ft) b
Change
in
water
level
(recovery)
(ft) c
Zone b
etwe
en p
acke
r an
d to
tal
dept
h (1
500
- 21
00 ±
ft)
Air
gauge
pres
sure
on
15
00 ft
airline
(psi
)
d
Pressure
chan
ge
(psi)
e
Air
gauge
pressure
conv
erte
d to
depth
to wat
er
belo
w me
asur
ing
poin
t (ft)
f
Change
in
wate
r level
(dra
wdow
n)
(ft) &
Pumo on:
Aueust 29
, 19
66.
1:00
p.m.,
averaee
discharge
74 epm
from
zo
ne be
twee
n th
epacker a
nd total
depth.
2 4 6 8 10 12 15 20 25 30 40 50 60
260.
1
259.8
259.6
259.
5
259.
3
259.1
259.0
258.
8
258.
5
258.
2
258.0
257.5
257.1
256.8
0 0.3 .5 .6 .8 1.0
1.1
1.3
1.6
1.9
2.1
2.6
3.0
3.3
391
387
385
384
383
382
382
381
381
380
379
378
377
376
0 4 6 7 8 9 9 10 10 11 12 13 14 15
597
606
611
613
616
618
618
621
621
622
625
627
629
632
0 9 14 16 19 21 21 23 23 25 28 30 32 35
Tabl
e _1
_Water-level measurements during
test
No.
3, US
BM/A
EC Colorado co
re ho
le No
. 2
(continued)
August 29.
1966
Time
(min)
a 80 100
150
200
250
300
Zone
be
twee
n ca
sing
and
upper
pack
er
(411-1500
ft^
Elec
tric
line
dept
h to
wa
ter
belo
w me
asur
ing
poin
t (ft) b
256.
1
255.
6
254.
8
254.
0
253.
4-
-
Change
inwater
leve
l (recovery)
(ft) c
4.0
4.5
5.3
6.1
6.7
- -
Pump
of
f:
Aueu
st 29
, 1966,
6:00 p. m
0 2 4 6 10 12 15 20
253.
4
252.
9
- -
252.
8
- -
- -
- -
- -
6.7
7.2
- -
7.3
- -
- -
- -
- -
Zone
be
twee
n packer
and
tota
l de
pth
(150
0 -
2100
± ft)
Air
gaug
e pressure
on 15
00 ft
airline
(psi)
d 374.
5
373.5
368
363.
5
359.
5
356
356
359
361
363
367
369
372
374
Pressure
change
(psi)
e 16.5
17.5
23 27.5
31.5
35 35 32 30 28 24 22 19 17
Air
gaug
epr
essu
reconverted
to depth
to water
below
measuring
poin
t (f
t)
f
635
638
650
661
669
678
678
671
'666
662
652
648
640
636
Change
inwater
leve
l (d
rawd
own)
(f
t)
e
38 41 53 64 72 81
(recovery)
81 74 69 65 55 51 43 39
Tabl
e JL
Wate
r-le
vel measurements during
test
No
. 3, US
BM/A
EC Co
lora
do co
re hole No
. 2
(continued)
Augu
st 29
. 19
66
Time
(min)
a 25 30 40 50 60 80 100
140
200
250
300
Zone between
casi
ngan
d upper
pack
er(4
11-1
500
ft)
Elec
tric
line
depth
towa
ter
below
meas
uring
poin
t(f
t)
b
252.
6
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
251.8
»
251.
6
251.2
250.7
Change in
water
leve
l(r
ecov
ery)
(ft) c 7.5
- -
- -
- -
. -
8.3
. -
8.5
8.9
9.4
Zone between
packer and
tota
l de
pth
(150
0 - 2100 ±
ft)
Air
gaug
epr
essu
reon 15
00 ft
airline
(psi)
d 376
378
382
383
384
385
391
39*
397
403
408.5
Pres
sure
change
(psi)
e 15 13 9 8 7 6 0 5 6 12 17.5
Air
gaug
epressure
converted
to d
epth
to water
below
measuring
poin
t(ft) f 632
627
618
616
613
611
597
585
583
569
556
Change in
water
level
(recovery)
(ft) e 35 30 21 19 16 14 0 12 14 28 41
c33mCD 'l
o3 t/fCLc t5'id
(D (A
Ccn b
m poO_O-t Q CL OO O-I (ft
H JP«2 ZZ
m̂
c «oc(A
ro ^°
<5 o
*
I O
o> o
ro O
00O
ro
0
ro 0
00o
Ut
o
o> o o
0>o o
DEPTH TO WATER BELOW TOP OF CASING, IN FEET j <*»£ -2 2? ro ro £ 0 09 & O » 00 £ C D O O O O O O C
^it"tj 3
-
^J ^^
^5
AVERAGE DISCHARGE 74gpm FROM ZONE BETWEEN PACKER
AND TOTAL DEPTH
*
k7
^<
^
I
IN
<\
\TVtio
&V
1
A
r-
V*V°Vx
\o \V*
*
a
^
t
^
-
\(
N
/£ BETWEEt
\J CASING Ah
'D PACKER
-«»
O O^
,
Test No, 4.-°No packers were used. The well was pumped at 93.4 gpm
for 250 minutes. Drawdown was measured during pumping and recovery was
measured for 120 minutes after pumping ceased (fig. 9). Transmissibility
computed from the pumping phase was 3,400 gpd per foot (fig. 10) and
that from the recovery phase was 3,600 gpd per foot (fig* 11). The
computed transmissibilities are probably affected by different rates
of flow between the upper losing zone and the lower gaining zone during
both pumping and recovery.
Well discharge., water temperature, and specific conductance are
shown below;
Time in minutes Specificsince pumping Discharge conductance Temperature
began (gpnO (micromhos per cm) (°F)
40100150200250
93.493.493.493.493,4
Average 93.4
900900750800950
6768696869
Water was moving from rocks near the top of the uncased section
down the hole and out into rocks near the bottom of the hole. The
data indicating this are;
1. The head in the upper part of the hole is higher than in the
lower part of the hole.
43
£9
U
26
0
I- Ul
Ul
it. 2
70
2T o s .
r </>
"280
2 I 2H
ac'
Ul *30
0
X I-
o. UJ
031
0
32
0
- N.
OP
i
.
^-
*
fPum
p t
urne
d 4
tu
rne
d o
n fO
OO
am.
*
, I
~N H
OLE
-M
m
IHI^
^M
^
? P
AC
KE
RS
L
-~
'SE
D
/*
H
r
,
^~
~~ *
'
/Pu
mp
tu
rne
d
/tu
rne
d o
ff 2
-10
p.m
.
*
»-
-
AV
ER
AG
E D
ISC
HA
RG
E
93.4
gp
m
FR
OM
O
PE
N H
OLE
B
ET
WE
EN
B
OT
TO
M
OF
CA
SIN
G A
ND
T
OT
AL
DE
PT
H (
411*
-2100'*
)
-
6012
0 18
0 2
40
250
30
0
360
TIM
E,
IN M
INU
TE
S4
20
480
540
60
06
60
FIG
UR
E
9.-W
ater
-leve
l mea
sure
men
ts d
urin
g te
st N
o. 4
, U
.S.B
.M./A
.E.C
. C
olor
ado
core
hol
e N
o. 2
, A
ugust
30,1
966.
IW 14 16r
Uf
bJ
U.
S
18
af o
o 020
22
24
26
i v \\
1
\\\\ '
s \1
x^N
1 Xxs
1
'
.
f \ 1
TR
AN
SM
ISS
IBIL
ITY
= T
*
2^
4 ^
A
sA
VE
RA
GE
DIS
CH
AR
GE
= Q
= 9
3.4
gpm
DR
AW
DO
WN
CH
AN
GE
/LO
G
CY
CL
E*
As
=7
.2 ft.
T-
264 -
93.4
T
'
7.2
T*3
40
0g
pd
/ft.
v 'S\
' Si \
s \\
- \\
>10
50
TIM
E,
IN M
INU
TE
S
SIN
CE
PU
MP
ING
BE
GA
N10
0500
FIG
UR
E
10.-
Sem
iloga
rithm
ic g
raph
of d
raw
dow
n da
ta,
pum
ping
ope
n ho
le b
etw
een
casi
ng a
nd t
otal
dep
th (
test
No.
4,
41l'-
2100
l±)
U.S
.B.M
./A.E
.C.
Col
orad
o co
re h
ole
No.
2,
Au
gu
st 3
0,1
96
6.
RESIDUAL
DRAWDOWN
(s'),IN
FEET o>
S M o
09 <y> ^
.roc
N
\\ .
\
*Ss
N<X .
K
x\ *
.x ^v t
x \
>*
\ '
.
\>
TR
AN
SM
ISS
I
AV
ER
AG
E D
l
RE
SID
UA
L D
RA
TIO
OF
Tlf
TO T
IME
SIN T =
T*
\<
_ 4*\\
BIL
ITY
= T
s-2
£4_g,o
gio
t/t,
5CH
AR
GE
= Q
=9
3.4
gpm
RA
WD
OW
N (
sV
log c
ycle
= A
s =
6.8
7 ft.
VIE
SIN
CE
PU
MP
ING
STA
RTE
D,
CE
PU
MP
ING
S
TOP
PE
D =
ty =
I/log c
ycle
264-9
3.4
,.
6.8
7
* !
3600 g
pd/f t.
\
X\
X
-
105
010
05
00
FIG
UR
E
11.-
Sem
iloga
rithm
ic g
raph
of
reco
very
dat
a, a
fter
pum
ping
ope
n ho
le b
etw
een
casi
ng a
nd t
otal
dep
th (
test
No.
4, 4
1l'-2
100'
±) U
.S.B
. M./A
.E.C
.C
olor
ado
core
hol
e N
o. 2
, A
ugus
t 3
0,
1966
.
2. The specific conductance of the water from each test was
about the same as that of the water from the upper part of
the hole; whereas,, during drilling the specific conductance
of water from the bottom of the hole was much higher than
that of the water from the top part of the hole. Wat>Er
moved down the hole from the time that drilling was completed
until the packer tests were made. The amount of water with=
drawn during the test was too small to "retrieve" all the
"top" water from the lower part of the hole.
Deep°well current-meter survey
On October 21, 1966, a current-meter survey was made on USBM/AEC
Colorado core hole No. 2, using a Deerheardt-Owen spinner flowmeter.
The well was not pumped during the survey. Results of the survey
(fig. 12) indicate that on October 21 9 water was entering the hole
between depths of about 1,200 to 1,400 feet, moving downward at
velocities of as much as 20 feet per minute and leaving the hole between
depths of about 1 9 900 to 2 3 070 feet. The quantity of water moving down
ths hole at that time was about 30 gpm.
Quality of water
The chemical analysis of water pumped from the zone between the
packers (900-1,200 feet) during test No. 1, is shown in table 8, and
the chemical analysis of water pumped from the zone between the packer
DE
PT
H B
ELO
W M
EA
SU
RIN
G P
OIN
T,
IN F
EE
T
-P-
oo
^io
^
S
<o
S
^
o>
$
$5
w
± rt
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Q
o
.
p
o
c>J
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
C
.0
. ..
. .
. .........
.. .
. .
......
- ..
.......
... ...
....
? ?P
HB
J a a.
at
i I I5
» >
^
« I
COUNTS
uif»v«v in Q
_A
j8
9 '
.
0>*
ms
o>
o
m J
r> *
fi*i 1 1 r
«r r \j
CM O
»
O > -». y »
,
*d
*4
-
*
k !L * O ^» 5"
I
.
> *
«H
»
« > f **
"*
2. » -* *
'
4-1
>
».
*<
7̂ 2. S 3->
.1-4
«K
>
-
w
if ?
8*
?"
fi "
*« *
0 o 3
<o
Table 8 Chemical analysis of ground water piuiped from zo o betweendepths of 900 to 12CO feet.
Lab. Ma. 32237
U. S. DZPT. OF ".-:- INTER Statement o.'
SeL.--a I- ::/A2C Colorado Core, hole No. 2Location 35 miles '--7 SW of Meeker, Colorado, -<ic
SW '. .V- 14 ME 14 S..c 14 T IS R
DcrcC..-- -,- 2 7,1 9.' j Tim.C. . Ev ! . A. l-.elderFiw.c de:.-.s: Temp. ( °F) ^7 p|-|
Sp. Cond. (^.iho^ , 1000 Eh
AppearanceTest No. 1. Zone becween the packers(900-1200 ft)
Chemical components ppm epm
Silica (SiOo) 13. a
Aluminum (At) _,..,,.. ,_
Iron ( Fe)Manganese (Mn) ....Calcium (Ca) 6.0 0.30
Magnesium (Mg) 0.58
Strnntium ( Sr) ..,,.,.
S«J,-,,»/N^ 235.0 10.22Podium m 0.5 0.01
Cations (epm) __ LI-11
Bicarbonate mC03 ) 494 8.10
s u lfat«(sn4K" ill 2.35Chloride (CD 4.8 0.14rl,,«riJ«(F) .? 0.17
Nitrate ( UO^} 0.2
Phosphate TP04) 0 . 06 ... . _
Boron (E) 0.12
A ,^^ 10.76
/aver Analysis
D f.]<-)rco Cci..icy
9W . . FSold/C-?fi ca ..c.
, -.; Ty 3e Core LIJC Tesc noieDa Prh(-.: t.) 2 LOO-^ Cos^d to. 411
Diem, (in.) 7-5/V Date<irilled '"fl® 1966,/urer lev* H ft.) 311Discharge 94W. B. F. Evacuation Creek & Parachute CreeGreen River Formation -ieoibeiOwner U. S. Bureau of Mines
Physical characteristics and compurco values
Dissolved Solids (ppm)Res. on evap. at 180°C 621
Calculated 626
Suspended solids (ppm)
Hardness as CaCO^ (ppm)Total 44
Non-carbonate
Specific conductance
(innhos at ?5°n) , ,. 970
oH 8 2Color
Radiochemica! data
Alpha activity (pc/l)as of _ ,_,, ,. ,
Beta activity (pc/i)as of
Radium (Ra) (pc/i)Uranium fU) (ug/l)
Lab. No..
QW-1
Analysts Date Checked
49
and total depth (1 5 500>2 S 100*. fset) during test No, 3, is shown in
table 9, The analyses show that the water in the two zones is similar 0---;/ir, both samples the principfes cation was sodium and the principlB anicn
was bicarbonate. Samples from other zones were taken for analysis,; but
the results are not yet available.
& 9 Chemical analysis of ground watar pumped from zone betweendepths of 1500 to 2100 x feet
Lefe. Mia. 32238
u. s. DEPT. OF T:-;E - xTi:.c\ - GECLOG:CA~ SURVEYStarcmcnt o; v/c.er Analysis
au.-ca USBX/AEC Colorado core hole No. 2Loccricn 33 ml Iv'S
SW ';; y; i.
Dcte-Cc.. Au f- -" >Co!. £v F. .». ^"'- j ' x v / °rtc.d c..tr.s: ferr.o. (
Sp. Cond. (u-uios)
AppearanceTost No. 3 Zone depth <1500-2100
W3W of Meo'\er, Coi.o-r.do, Rio Blnnco County
X-: liSoc i - T is R'^66 7lmec; e rF) 70 pr; -
_ L"DO £h .
between packer and total ± feet) .
Chemical components
ppm epm
Silica (Si02)
Aluminum (Al)
Iron ( Fe)
flfanc^anese ( Mn)
Calcium (Ca)
Magnesium (Mg)
Strontium (Sr)
Sodium (Na^
Potassium {'1C)
Bicarbomrte (HCOj) Carbonate, (C03) Sulfate(S04) Chloride (CD ?luoride(F) Hitrdte (NOjT) Phosphate (P04) Boron (B)
13
o.4 .32.48
2^8.0 10. 7i0.4 0.01
Cations (epm) 11.60
564.0 9.24277.0
Q7.0 2.02
3.2 Oo09fi.8 0.?6
0.3 0.001
.0.010.11
99 W =ie!d/C:;.co ,N!O.
.' !! T-'pe , LJSG -3St liwie
Dep:.-. L't.j 2100- Cb...»Jt« 411
Dic.m. (in.) 7-5/c" Date drtUed June 196'
'. . ^r !sv«! ,'' ) .',7
Dischcrae 74 GPM
W. B. F. Parachute Creek Member,Green River Formation
Owner U. S , Bureay of Mines
Physical characteristics
and computed valics
Dissolved Solids (ppm)
Res. on evB p. at 180°C 6^9.«-.
Calculated ' 658
Suspended solicls ( "3pm) ~"L _,. ....
Hardness as CaCOo (ppm) Total 40 i f
Non-carbonate
Specific conductance
(, : mhos at PK°r) 1040
pH " 8.1Color __
Radiochemicaf data
Alpha activity (pcA/
as of .. . t ... L L
Beta activity (pc/l)
as of
Sodium (Ra) fpc/li
Urcnium (U) (u«/l )
Anions (gpm) 11.711
Lab. No..
QW-1
Analysts Date Checked
51CPO »43?88
Selected References
Baldwin, W. F., Caldwell, R. L0> Glenn, E« E», Hlckman, J.B., and
Norton, L. J«, 1966, Slim hole logging in Colorado oil shale:
Soc. Prof. Well Log Analysts, 7th Annual Symposium, Trans. Sec* C,
17 p.
Bardsley, S. R., and Algermissen, S. T., 1963, Evaluating oil shale
by log analysis: Jour* Petroleum Technology, v, 15, no* 1,
p* 81-84*
Carroll, R* D», Coffin, D* L«, Ege, J* R., and Welder, F* A*, 1967,
Preliminary report on Bureau of Mines Yellow Creek Core Hole
No* 1, Rio Blanco County, Colorado: U.S. Geol* Survey TEI-869, 36 p*
Smith, John Ward, 1958, Applicability of a specific gravity oil yield
relationship to Green River oil shale: Chem* Eng* Data Series,
V* 3, no. 2, p. 306-310.
Stanfield, K. E., Smith, J. W., Smith, H. N., and Robb, W. A., 1960,
Oil yields of sections of Green River oil shale in Colorado,
1954-57: U.S. Bur. Mines Rept. Inv* 5614, 186 p.
52