The Cerro Prieto geothermal field is located in Baja California, Mexico, in the Salton Trough–a rift basin filled mainly with Colorado River sediments. A comprehensive wireline log analysis was undertaken as part of a multidisciplinary study of this geothermal system. It established (1) the physical properties of the various sedimentary units; (2) the depositional environment and hydrothermal alteration of the units; (3) the location, attitude, and displacement of faults; and (4) the subsurface circulation of the geothermal fluids.

Presented are the methodology that was used and the application of the results to further exploration and development of this high-temperature geothermal resource.

Keywords:
shale unit 0, geothermal reservoir, upstream oil & gas, geothermal field, sandstone, structural geology, sediment, permeability, well logging, cerro prieto
Subjects:
Exploration, development, structural geology, Formation Evaluation & Management, Geothermal resources, Information Management and Systems, Non-Traditional Resources, Open hole/cased hole log analysis, Reservoir Characterization
Copyright 1985, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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