Heat Flow

Almost 20 holes have been drilled to depths from 100 to 1000 feet at Chena, all of which can be used to measure the temperatures and pressures of the shallow geothermal system.  These holes have shown that the western part of the geothermal field is where the hottest water is rising from greater depths.  These holes have been very useful in helping to outline the location of the fault controlling the geothermal system as the fault is buried by gravel and can not be seen at the surface.  The hottest temperature yet measured at Chena is 176.5^°F. 

David Blackwell from Southern Methodist University is the PI conducting heat flow studies.  He is pictured below during an ATV excursion to view outcrops at Chena.  David provided Chena Hot Springs with instrumentation to regularly log the existing well and new TG holes drilled as part of this project.  Much of this work, including drilling, was completed during the winter of 2005-06, with temperatures dipping to -50°F.  Logs were run by Gwen Holdmann and Dick Benoit, and drilling completed by Dan Brotherton of Arctic Drilling.     

Here is a sample static temperature log of all the wells at Chena Hot Springs: