Documentation of slug and shut-in test data for wells H-1, H-2A, H-2B, H-2C, and H-3 at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Completed
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has collected, documented, and published an extensive amount of hydrogeologic data collected from and near the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site in southeastern New Mexico. The objective of the proposed work is to document and publish the data that was used to estimate values of transmissivity and storage coefficients for water-bearing zones open to wells H-1, H-2 well complex (H-2A, H-2B, and H-2C), and H-3. Files of the USGS contain detailed information on the results of slug and shut-in tests performed using wells H-1, H-2A, H-2B, H-2C, and H-3. Data collected during the tests will be tabulated and published in a USGS Open-File Report.
PROBLEM
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has collected, documented, and published an extensive amount of hydrogeologic data collected from and near the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site in southeastern New Mexico (Dennehy, 1982; Drellack and Wells, 1982; Mercer and Orr, 1979; Richey, 1986; 1987a; 1987b; 1989; Wells and Drellack, 1982). The Culebra and Magenta dolomites within the Rustler Formation and the contact zone between the Rustler and Salado Formations, both of Permian age, are the principle water bearing zones at the WIPP site (Mercer, 1983). Wells H-1, H-2 complex (H-2A, H-2B, and H-2C), and H-3 were constructed for use in tests to estimate the transmissivities and storage coefficients of these water-bearing zones. Values of transmissivities and storage coefficients obtained from slug and shut-in tests were published by Mercer (1983). However, the data upon which these values are based have not been published.
OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE
The objective of the proposed work is to document the data used to estimate values of transmissivity and storage coefficients for water-bearing zones open to wells H-1, H-2A, H-2B, H-2C, and H-3. The scope of the project is confined to presentation of data collected in these wells.
RELEVANCE AND BENEFITS
Benefits of the proposed work to the USGS and the Department of Energy include documentation and publication of data values used to generate the previously published aquifer-test values for the principle water-bearing zones at the WIPP site. Accurate and unbiased information on the hydraulic characteristics of the water-bearing zones furnished by the USGS has, and will continue to, aid the Department of Energy in minimizing potential risk to life and property associated with operation of the WIPP.
APPROACH
Files of the USGS contain detailed information on the results of slug and shut-in tests performed using wells H-1, H-2A, H-2B, H-2C, and H-3. Dennehy and Davis (1981) and Dennehy (1982) discussed in detail the methods used to conduct the tests and interpret the resulting data, however the data used in the analyses were not published. Therefore, for this proposed work, the data collected during the slug and shut-in tests will be tabulated and well construction data for wells H-1, H-2A, H-2B, H-2C, and H-3 will be documented in the format used by Dennehy (1982). Obtained values of transmissivity and storage will be entered into the New Mexico Water Science Centers Ground Water Site Inventory (GWSI) data base. GWSI entries will reference original data contained in WIPP project archives stored by the New Mexico Water Science Center.
REFERENCES
Basler, J.A., 1983, Instrumentation used for hydraulic testing of potential water-bearing formations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site in southeastern New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 83-144, 29 p.
Dennehy, K.F., 1982, Results of hydrologic tests and water-chemistry analyses, wells H-6A, H-6B, and H-6C, at the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, southeastern New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 82-8, 68 p.
Dennehy, K.F. and Davis, P.A., 1981, Hydrologic testing of low transmissive zones in southeastern New Mexico: Ground Water, v. 19, p. 482-489.
Drellack, S.L., Jr. and Wells, J.G., 1982, Geologic and well-construction data for the H-7 borehole complex near the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, southeastern New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 82-38, 25 p., 1 pl.
Jones, C.L, 1975, Potash resources in part of Los Medanos area of Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 75-407, 37 p.
Mercer, J.W., 1983, Geohydrology of the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, Los Medanos area, southeastern New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 83-4016, 113 p
Mercer, J.W. and Orr, R.B., 1979, Interim data report on the geohydrology of the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, southeast New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 79-98, 178 p.
Richey, S.F., 1986, Hydrologic-test data from wells at hydrologic-test pads H-7, H-8, H-9, and H-10 near the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 86-413, 126 p.
Richey, S.F., 1987, Water-level data from wells in the vicinity of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, southeast New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 87-120, 107 p.
Vine, J.D., 1963, Surface geology of the Nash Draw quadrangle, Eddy County, New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1141-B, 46 p.
Wells, J.G. and Drellack, S.L., 1982, Geologic and well-construction data for the H-8 borehole complex near the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, southeastern New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 82-4118, 42 p., 1 pl.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Water-level data from wells in the vicinity of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, southeastern New Mexico
Hydrologic-test data from wells at hydrologic-test pads H-7, H-8, H-9, and H-10 near the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, southeastern New Mexico
Instrumentation used for hydraulic testing of potential water-bearing formations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site in southeastern New Mexico
Geohydrology of the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, Los Medanos area, southeastern New Mexico
Geologic and well-construction data for the H-7 borehole complex near the proposed waste isolation pilot plant site, southeastern New Mexico
Geologic and well-construction data for the H-8 borehole complex near the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, southeastern New Mexico
Results of hydrologic tests and water-chemistry analyses, wells H-4A, H-4B, and H-4C, at the proposed waste isolation pilot plant site, southeastern New Mexico
Interim data report on the geohydrology of the proposed waste isolation pilot plant site, southeast New Mexico
Potash resources in part of Los Medanos area of Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico
Surface geology of the Nash Draw quadrangle, Eddy County, New Mexico
- Overview
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has collected, documented, and published an extensive amount of hydrogeologic data collected from and near the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site in southeastern New Mexico. The objective of the proposed work is to document and publish the data that was used to estimate values of transmissivity and storage coefficients for water-bearing zones open to wells H-1, H-2 well complex (H-2A, H-2B, and H-2C), and H-3. Files of the USGS contain detailed information on the results of slug and shut-in tests performed using wells H-1, H-2A, H-2B, H-2C, and H-3. Data collected during the tests will be tabulated and published in a USGS Open-File Report.
PROBLEM
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has collected, documented, and published an extensive amount of hydrogeologic data collected from and near the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site in southeastern New Mexico (Dennehy, 1982; Drellack and Wells, 1982; Mercer and Orr, 1979; Richey, 1986; 1987a; 1987b; 1989; Wells and Drellack, 1982). The Culebra and Magenta dolomites within the Rustler Formation and the contact zone between the Rustler and Salado Formations, both of Permian age, are the principle water bearing zones at the WIPP site (Mercer, 1983). Wells H-1, H-2 complex (H-2A, H-2B, and H-2C), and H-3 were constructed for use in tests to estimate the transmissivities and storage coefficients of these water-bearing zones. Values of transmissivities and storage coefficients obtained from slug and shut-in tests were published by Mercer (1983). However, the data upon which these values are based have not been published.
OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE
The objective of the proposed work is to document the data used to estimate values of transmissivity and storage coefficients for water-bearing zones open to wells H-1, H-2A, H-2B, H-2C, and H-3. The scope of the project is confined to presentation of data collected in these wells.
RELEVANCE AND BENEFITS
Benefits of the proposed work to the USGS and the Department of Energy include documentation and publication of data values used to generate the previously published aquifer-test values for the principle water-bearing zones at the WIPP site. Accurate and unbiased information on the hydraulic characteristics of the water-bearing zones furnished by the USGS has, and will continue to, aid the Department of Energy in minimizing potential risk to life and property associated with operation of the WIPP.
APPROACH
Files of the USGS contain detailed information on the results of slug and shut-in tests performed using wells H-1, H-2A, H-2B, H-2C, and H-3. Dennehy and Davis (1981) and Dennehy (1982) discussed in detail the methods used to conduct the tests and interpret the resulting data, however the data used in the analyses were not published. Therefore, for this proposed work, the data collected during the slug and shut-in tests will be tabulated and well construction data for wells H-1, H-2A, H-2B, H-2C, and H-3 will be documented in the format used by Dennehy (1982). Obtained values of transmissivity and storage will be entered into the New Mexico Water Science Centers Ground Water Site Inventory (GWSI) data base. GWSI entries will reference original data contained in WIPP project archives stored by the New Mexico Water Science Center.
REFERENCES
Basler, J.A., 1983, Instrumentation used for hydraulic testing of potential water-bearing formations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site in southeastern New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 83-144, 29 p.
Dennehy, K.F., 1982, Results of hydrologic tests and water-chemistry analyses, wells H-6A, H-6B, and H-6C, at the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, southeastern New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 82-8, 68 p.
Dennehy, K.F. and Davis, P.A., 1981, Hydrologic testing of low transmissive zones in southeastern New Mexico: Ground Water, v. 19, p. 482-489.
Drellack, S.L., Jr. and Wells, J.G., 1982, Geologic and well-construction data for the H-7 borehole complex near the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, southeastern New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 82-38, 25 p., 1 pl.
Jones, C.L, 1975, Potash resources in part of Los Medanos area of Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 75-407, 37 p.
Mercer, J.W., 1983, Geohydrology of the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, Los Medanos area, southeastern New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 83-4016, 113 p
Mercer, J.W. and Orr, R.B., 1979, Interim data report on the geohydrology of the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, southeast New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 79-98, 178 p.
Richey, S.F., 1986, Hydrologic-test data from wells at hydrologic-test pads H-7, H-8, H-9, and H-10 near the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 86-413, 126 p.
Richey, S.F., 1987, Water-level data from wells in the vicinity of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, southeast New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 87-120, 107 p.
Vine, J.D., 1963, Surface geology of the Nash Draw quadrangle, Eddy County, New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1141-B, 46 p.
Wells, J.G. and Drellack, S.L., 1982, Geologic and well-construction data for the H-8 borehole complex near the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, southeastern New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 82-4118, 42 p., 1 pl.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Water-level data from wells in the vicinity of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, southeastern New Mexico
The U.S. Geological Survey monitored water levels in wells in the vicinity of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, a storage facility constructed in bedded salts in which defense-associated transuranic wastes will be deposited, in southeastern New Mexico during 1977 to 1985. A variety of methods was used to measure water levels. The particular method utilized at a given time depended on several factorAuthorsS. F. RicheyHydrologic-test data from wells at hydrologic-test pads H-7, H-8, H-9, and H-10 near the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, southeastern New Mexico
No abstract available.AuthorsS. F. RicheyInstrumentation used for hydraulic testing of potential water-bearing formations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site in southeastern New Mexico
Requirements for testing hydrologic test wells at the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad, New Mexico, necessitated the use of inflatable formation packers and pressure transducers. Observations during drilling and initial development indicated small formation yields which would require considerable test times by conventional open-casing methods. A pressure-monitoring system was assAuthorsJ.A. BaslerGeohydrology of the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, Los Medanos area, southeastern New Mexico
Geohydrologic data have been collected in the Los Medanos area at the U.S. Department of Energy 's proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site in southeastern New Mexico since 1975 as part of an intensive study evaluating the feasibility of storing defense-associated nuclear wastes within the bedded salt of the Salado Formation of Permian age. Drilling and hydrologic testing have identified tAuthorsJerry W. MercerGeologic and well-construction data for the H-7 borehole complex near the proposed waste isolation pilot plant site, southeastern New Mexico
No abstract available.AuthorsS.L. Drellack, J.G. WellsGeologic and well-construction data for the H-8 borehole complex near the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site, southeastern New Mexico
The H-8 complex, a group of three closely-spaced boreholes, is located 9 miles south of the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site in southeastern Eddy County, New Mexico. The holes were drilled during July, August, and September of 1979 to obtain geologic and hydrologic data to better define the regional ground-water-flow system. The geologic data presented in this report are part of a site-chAuthorsJ.G. Wells, S.L. DrellackResults of hydrologic tests and water-chemistry analyses, wells H-4A, H-4B, and H-4C, at the proposed waste isolation pilot plant site, southeastern New Mexico
Data were collected during hydrologic testing at wells H-4A, H-4B, and H-4C in the southern part of the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site in southeastern New Mexico. The three water-bearing zones tested, the Magenta and Culebra Dolomite Members of the Rustler Formation and the Rustler Formation-Salado Formation contact, yield water to wells at rates less than 0.9 gallon per minute. ThroughAuthorsJerry W. Mercer, Paul Davis, K. F. Dennehy, C. L. GoetzInterim data report on the geohydrology of the proposed waste isolation pilot plant site, southeast New Mexico
Data collected at the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site in southeast New Mexico through September 1977 help define hydrologic conditions at the contact between the Permian Rustler and Salado Formations, and Culebra and Magenta Dolomite Members of the Rustler Formation. Preliminary calculations of transmissivity along the Rustler-Salado contact range from 0.1 feet squared per day to 0.0001AuthorsJerry W. Mercer, R.B. OrrPotash resources in part of Los Medanos area of Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico
Los Medanos area of eastern Eddy and western Lea Counties, New Mexico, is being considered for possible siting of a repository Facility for experimental studies of nuclear-waste emplacement in salt beds of the Salado Formation of Permian age. The potential repository site encompasses about 29 square miles (75 square kilometres) of sandy terrain near the center of Los Medanos. The site is underlainAuthorsC.L. JonesSurface geology of the Nash Draw quadrangle, Eddy County, New Mexico
No abstract available.AuthorsJames David Vine