This is a really, really, really bad idea.

Jena · #1 01/20/12, 02:35 PM

Did I mention that this is a bad idea?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1206867.html

Quote:

"To build geothermal in a big way beyond where it is now requires new technology, and that is where EGS comes in," said Steve Hickman, a research geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, Calif.

Wells are drilled deep into the rock and water is pumped in, creating tiny fractures in the rock, a process known as hydroshearing.

Cold water is pumped down production wells into the reservoir, and the steam is drawn out.

Hydroshearing is similar to the process known as hydraulic fracturing, used to free natural gas from shale formations. But fracking uses chemical-laden fluids, and creates huge fractures. Pumping fracking wastewater deep underground for disposal likely led to recent earthquakes in Arkansas and Ohio.

Fears persist that cracking rock deep underground through hydroshearing can also lead to damaging quakes.

They are doing this on a volcano. Earthquakes might be the least of their problems. Bad. Idea.

emdeengee · #2 01/20/12, 04:52 PM

It is suspected that the huge mud volcano in Indonesia was caused by fraking. No absolute proof just circumstantial evidence and it is unstoppable - expectedto flow for another 26 years. It started in May 2006 and has alreadyburied entire villages making 13000 families homeless. It was spewing 180,000 cubic metres of mud a day, equivalent to 50 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Yvonne's hubby · #3 01/20/12, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jena

Did I mention that this is a bad idea?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1206867.html

They are doing this on a volcano. Earthquakes might be the least of their problems. Bad. Idea.

I was less than impressed with the article overall, and then way down into it near the end the author revealed just how bogus it really is. Something about the really cheap electricity bills caused by lowered demand due to the "great recession" and cheap natural gas availability..... My power bill is double what it was just a few short years ago!

Darren · #4 01/20/12, 05:17 PM

It is a bad idea. they would be better off developing the geothermal potential in West Virginia. That puts a potential volcano much closer to Washington D.C.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/...ermal-hot-spot

Jena · #5 01/21/12, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emdeengee

It is suspected that the huge mud volcano in Indonesia was caused by fraking. No absolute proof just circumstantial evidence and it is unstoppable - expectedto flow for another 26 years. It started in May 2006 and has alreadyburied entire villages making 13000 families homeless. It was spewing 180,000 cubic metres of mud a day, equivalent to 50 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Everything I have read about that said it was started by a gas well. I don't remember if it was in relation to fracking or not, but they did say it was a gas well that got it going.

That thing is scary, but nearly so bad as what volcano could do. Decompression melting and phreatomagmatic explosions come to mind, right off the bat.

farmerDale · #6 01/21/12, 09:24 AM

What about Iceland?

wyld thang · #7 01/21/12, 12:00 PM

Interesting article, thx! that borders where I go riding my dirt bike and I have to laugh because it's such a struggle to keep ORV areas open because of "impact"--and for the most part riders in Oregon are very careful about impact.

In any case, there is not a whole lot out there at Newberry, there is a national monument(I think the right designation) at the crater where the finest quality obsidian is. Two lakes with rec, some homes spread wide, I think where the crater is BLM land(which then goes on forever). Very dry, very rough country--nothing like the land in Arkasas or Ohio. Open range.

It will be interesting to see how it goes, Oregon is progressive in renewable energy, along with "government" composting and recycling(it works). It's gotta start somewhere.

http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/prin...s/newberryegs/

http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/ecmd/Re...Assessment.pdf

Links in case any geo nerds want to read further (ha)

wyld thang · #8 01/21/12, 12:09 PM

wow, reading a bit, I'm impressed at the planning/impact/blah blah. Anyways, this is a feasibility test well, no power plant plans on the table. At least Oregon anally errs on the side of impact, rather than cavalier drill baby drill--voters wouldn't stand for it otherwise.

wyld thang · #9 01/21/12, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jena

what volcano could do. Decompression melting and phreatomagmatic explosions come to mind, right off the bat.

yeah, but consider the geology on the ground, don't make generalizations with Hawaii or Ohio--just sayin.

Jena · #10 01/21/12, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyld thang

yeah, but consider the geology on the ground, don't make generalizations with Hawaii or Ohio--just sayin.

I understand the geology of Oregon and I still say this is a bad idea. They have not yet been able to understand why there are increases in earthquakes in some areas where they are fracking, but the fact that there is a documented. To do a project like this on a frigging volcano without a full understanding of what they are doing down in the earth is simply stupid.

They may get a whole lot more power than what they bargained for....and all at once.

Paumon · #11 01/21/12, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmerDale

What about Iceland?

I think that is probably a lot different from the procedures that Jena is talking about. If I recall correctly Iceland gets its geothermal heat from running pipelines directly to volcanic hotsprings. About 90% of their houses, buildings and streets are heated geothermally and they first started doing that 100 years ago. They also now have geothermal power plants for producing electricity.

texican · #12 01/22/12, 07:31 PM

They're giving natural gas away.... RIGHT now!!! NG brought more in the 1970's, than it does now... And, if your familiar with that grinch called Inflation... those 1970 dollars were worth a heckuva lot more than the current fiat dollars. So, ng is cheap cheap cheap. If your bills are 'higher', it ain't because of ng.... more likely it's union wages paid at utilities and other union hands along the way, health insurance, retirement, yada yada yada... endless bennies.

I'd starve to death right now if I had to depend on my ng royalties.a

Fracking and earthquakes... I haven't read any scientific based papers... but I do have a degree in geology, and in my geologic opinion, only areas prone/susceptible to earthquakes already will have problems with fracking. My area's had fracking for 70 years, and no quakes. With the advent of shale fracking, areas that've never had fracking are getting fracked, and existing fault lines are getting extra stress/fluids..... and are theoretically 'releasing' that energy. Just my opinion...

Now fracking a volcano? Cool! I know I'm insane, but if that's all it took, I'd love to have a volcano in my north pasture! If it could cone up to 5 or 6K feet, I'd be in heaven... well, hopefully not literally... I'd come back, once it'd cooled down and build right on top!

the mama · #13 01/23/12, 04:22 PM

I think I got in trouble for saying "fricking fracting". I live in Florida and could have a sink hole at any time. If I knew there was a void down there, no way would I let someone compromise it. fracking a volcano? insane, unless its just a big science experiment. better evac all things wanting to live.