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Evaluation of flow leakage through abandoned wells and boreholes
Author(s) -
Avci Cem B.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/94wr00952
Subject(s) - aquifer , borehole , hydraulic head , geology , petroleum engineering , groundwater , groundwater flow , leakage (economics) , geotechnical engineering , aquifer test , injection well , environmental science , groundwater recharge , economics , macroeconomics
Flow leakage through abandoned wells and improperly plugged boreholes drilled between hydrogeologically separated water‐bearing zones represent potential pathways of contamination. The present study provides an analytical evaluation of the transient flow rate through these artificial conduits and the resulting hydraulic head distributions when (1) artificial gradients are created by an injection well operating in one of the aquifers or (2) natural hydraulic head differences are present between two confined aquifers. The analysis is conducted by solving the groundwater flow equations in the confined aquifers that are coupled by the flow through the well or borehole. A case study was investigated involving contamination leakage through abandoned wells and improperly plugged boreholes caused by the operation of deep waste injection wells.