This week, the CO2 testing and completion phase at the first production well made significant progress. At the well pad, Altamont is coordinating operations, and Rick Czech (Project Field Manager) is helping provide support. Together, project team leaders and crew members are making excellent work progress, and have begun perforating the lower Duperow geologic formation.
During this completion work phase, a thin metal cable called a “wireline” is lowered down the well hole. In a process called well perforation, an electrical signal is sent down the wireline, igniting charges and piercing through the well casing and cement. The well casing now has holes in it and allows scientist to better understand and analyze specific zones within the targeted formation. If present, liquid and gas will escape the formation (or reservoir) and flow up the well hole under extreme pressure. The well’s strong steel and cement casing will isolate the transported liquid and gas from surrounding formations, thus protecting groundwater resources from contamination.
Meanwhile on the surface, field crew members will monitor flow rates while managing the “choke” – the device that controls liquid and gas flow from below. In addition, liquid and gas samples are collected for laboratory testing, which provide BSCSP researchers details regarding the geologic properties and geochemical composition of the well. In total, we estimate the entire CO2 testing and completion phase for the first well to last through early November, and laboratory work to extend into winter 2015, so be sure to stay tuned for further news updates!