Geothermal reinjection experience

Reinjection into geothermal reservoirs is discussed and the experience gained by reinjection experiments in 44 geothermal fields is reviewed. Reinjection started purely as a disposal method, but has more recently been recognised as an essential and important part of reservoir management. Only a small part of the thermal energy in place in geothermal reservoirs can be recovered if reinjection is not applied. Thermal breakthrough has been observed in few geothermal reservoirs but has in all cases been found to be a manageable part of field operation. Silica scaling in surface equipment and injection wells is a delicate aspect of the reinjection process in most high-temperature geothermal fields, but silica scaling in the reservoir has not been considered a problem. Reinjection of low-enthalpy geothermal fluid into sandstone has not been successful, for reasons that are poorly understood. The location of injection wells in relation to production wells influences the ratio of injected fluid recovered in production wells. For peripheral injection, about one third of the injected fluid is commonly recovered, whereas injection within the production area results in a higher ratio of recovered fluid. Subsidence is in general of small concern in geothermal operations and micro-gravity has proved a valuable tool to estimate the recharge to geothermal reservoirs.     

Flashing point compressibility of geothermal fluids with low CO2 content and its use in estimating reservoir volume

In this study, the bubble point pressure effect or, as it is more commonly known, the flashing point effect of CO₂ on geothermal fluids is shown, and the compressibility of the geothermal fluids containing low concentrations of dissolved CO₂ at the flashing point is formulated for isoenthalpic phase change. The compressibility, termed the isoenthalpic flashing point compressibility, can be calculated with well-known parameters. New, easy-to-use graphs are presented to estimate the compressibility for such systems. Correction for ionic strength of the geothermal brine is also considered. The practical use of the compressibility is illustrated to estimate the fluid content of a geothermal reservoir. A material balance method incorporating the isoenthalpic flashing point compressibility in geothermal modeling is investigated. The material balance method presented in the paper is of primary importance in the evaluation of geothermal reservoirs since both the areal extent and the vertical thickness can not be accurately determined, particularly in the initial development stages of the reservoirs. Applications of the method to geothermal fields are discussed.     

A generalized non-isothermal tank model for liquid dominated geothermal reservoirs

We present a generalized non-isothermal tank model for predicting the pressure and temperature behaviors of liquid dominated geothermal reservoirs. A geothermal system is represented by a single or multiple tanks. These tanks can represent the reservoir, multiple reservoirs, aquifers or any other component of a geothermal system. The mass and energy balance equations for each tank are solved jointly. One of the main advantages of the model is that only a small number of tanks are used for modeling which avoids over parameterization of a geothermal system and results in faster run times when compared with fully discretized numerical simulators. Synthetic examples are used for studying the effects of heat conduction on reservoir performance, an analysis of the location of injection wells, recovery times of depleted geothermal fields and the benefits of using temperature data for a better characterization of the geothermal system.     

Reservoir testing

Geothermal reservoir testing evolved from oil and gas reservoir engineering. However, differences between geothermal and oil reservoirs required a broad spectrum of earth scientists efforts. Results to date enable location, drilling and evaluation adequate to finance development of many geothermal systems. However, the fundamental nature of geothermal reservoirs is not yet certain. A broad attack on this problem by earth scientists and engineers will be required for some time.     

资源评价与数值模拟在对井回灌系统中的应用

主要针对低焓热水型地热热储，分析了对井系统种类参数依赖的因素，关系以及相关程度，回灌率的选取，渗透率在含水层中三维分布情况对开采区域的影响，回灌对维持热储压力的水平范围和回灌冷水的影响程度，对井的合理井间距等，并针对兰庄地热田地热地质的非均质，各向异性特点，研究了该区的地热地质构造特性，地下资源储量，水资源补给可能性，评价了该地区地热资源的开发潜力。     

高温岩体地热开发的技术经济评价

介绍了对美国Fenton Hill(芬登山)地区高温岩体地热开发所作的投资分析，以及应用MIT经济模型进行的高温岩体地热发电开发成本的预测与评价。研究认为，高温岩体地热资源从技术上来说是重要的潜在能源，但钻井技术和人工储留层的建造技术是阻碍其商业发展的关键因素；目前高地温梯度的高温岩体地热发电已具有商业竞争力，采用先进的线性钻井技术后，将使所有等级的地热梯度的高温岩体地热发电电价具有商业竞争能力。     

Revision,calibration, and application of the volume method to evaluate the geothermal potential of some recent volcanic areas of Latium,Italy

The volume method is used to evaluate the productive potential of unexploited and minimally exploited geothermal fields. The distribution of P_CO2 in shallow groundwaters delimits the geothermal fields. This approach is substantiated by the good correspondence between zones of high CO₂ flux, and the areal extension of explored geothermal systems of high enthalpy (Monte Amiata and Latera), medium enthalpy (Torre Alfina) and low enthalpy (Viterbo). Based on the data available for geothermal fields either under exploitation or investigated by long-term production tests, a specific productivity of 40 t h⁻¹ km⁻³ is assumed. The total potential productivity for the recent volcanic areas of Latium is about 28 × 10³ t h⁻¹, with 75% from low-enthalpy geothermal fields, 17% from medium-enthalpy systems, and 8% from high-enthalpy reservoirs. The total extractable thermal power is estimated to be 2220–2920 MW, 49–53% from low-enthalpy geothermal fields, 28–32% from medium-enthalpy systems, and 19–20% from high-enthalpy reservoirs.     

山西省洪洞县奥陶系岩溶水地热资源评价

洪洞地热田为断陷盆地碳酸盐岩深埋低温型地热田.研究采用热储法公式计算了洪洞县奥陶系岩溶水地热资源量,并对其开展了综合利用评价,为当地地热资源的合理开发利用提供了科学依据.     

苏尔士增强型地热系统的开发经验及对我国地热开发的启示

增强型地热系统是采用人工形成地热储层的方法,从低渗透性岩体中经济地采出相当数量深层热能的人工地热系统。法国苏尔士（Soultz）地热项目已有20多年开发研究历史,但前人尚未对开发过程中的关键问题进行深入探讨,对其成功经验也未进行系统总结归纳。本文通过回顾其发展历程,总结该项目在钻井、储层激发、水力循环测试和储层监测方面的成功经验,同时提炼出地热开发中遇到的储层建设和井下泵设备等方面的问题,并指出数值模拟在地热开发过程应用方面的启示。苏尔士地热项目开发吸取了其他早期地热田的经验和教训,成功地建造了商业规模的人工激发储层,产生了大量的科研成果和先进技术,对后续开发的地热项目有重要指导意义。     

Radon in geothermal reservoir engineering

Radon has been shown to have potential as a tracer in the study of geothermal reservoirs. The combination of its physical and nuclear properties and its emanation and transport in geothermal fluids makes several types of time and concentration measurements useful for studies of fracture permeability and porosity and flow characteristics in different types of geothermal resources. Radon concentrations in several vapor-dominated and liquid-dominated producing reservoirs have been measured by short-period sampling of wellhead geofluid followed by radon separation on a charcoal trap and counting in a sensitive low background ZnS detector. The results show significant variations not only among different fields, but also between neighbouring wells in a single field. Evidences for transport differences between the two major types of hydrothermal systems are noted.     

Reinjection studies of vapor-dominated systems

Reinjection of produced brines is currently being considered for Larderello and other vapor-dominated geothermal fields as a potential means for safe disposal and enhanced energy recovery. In this context is it necessary to develop a detailed assessment of the impact of injection on reservoir performance, in particular on power output and reservoir longevity.As a step towards such an assessment, the present work explores the effects of cold water injection into idealized model reservoirs using numerical simulation techniques. The rock matrix parameters and thermodynamic conditions employed are representative of the Larderello steam fields.One-dimensional radial flow near an injection well is modeled to study in detail the propagation of hydrodynamic and temperature fronts. Simulated results are subjected to single-phase pressure transient analysis to examine the applicability of this technique for determination of formation parameters.Gravity effects for injection into a thick two-phase reservoir are studied within a vertical two-dimensional mesh. Comparisons are made between shallow and deep injection.Mixed production/injection schemes are investigated for a five-spot geometry using an areal two-dimensional mesh. It is found that production pressures and power output change little due to injection, whereas longevity of the field can be substantially increased.A one-dimensional vertical column representing a cross-section of Larderello is used to study the effects of injection at different depths in the more depleted zones of this reservoir.     

Atlas of geothermal resources in Europe

The geothermal resources of most European countries have been estimated and compiled in the recently published Atlas of Geothermal Resources in Europe, a companion volume to the Atlas of Geothermal Resources in the European Community, Austria and Switzerland. Publication of this Atlas comes at a time when the promotion of a sustainable and non-polluting energy is high on the agenda of local energy suppliers, municipal administrations and all European governments. The participating countries are: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the UK. A volumetric heat content model for porous reservoirs was the basis for calculating the resources, assuming that exploitation of the geothermal resources would take place in a doublet well system. The geothermal reservoirs are defined in a set of 4 maps, by depth, thickness, temperature and resources. The assessment methodology is simple and is based on a small number of parameters so that regions with very limited data coverage can also be evaluated. An example is given in this paper of the eastern North German Basin. The maps presented in the Atlas permit a first order evaluation of the geothermal potential in terms of technical and economic viability. This uniform procedure applied to all countries and regions allows comparisons and serves as a guide for setting priorities and planning geothermal development. This Atlas also helps in the search for appropriate partners for international cooperation in geothermal exploration in Europe.     

Geothermal energy technology and current status: an overview

Geothermal energy is the energy contained as heat in the Earth’s interior. This overview describes the internal structure of the Earth together with the heat transfer mechanisms inside mantle and crust. It also shows the location of geothermal fields on specific areas of the Earth. The Earth’s heat flow and geothermal gradient are defined, as well as the types of geothermal fields, the geologic environment of geothermal energy, and the methods of exploration for geothermal resources including drilling and resource assessment.Geothermal energy, as natural steam and hot water, has been exploited for decades to generate electricity, and both in space heating and industrial processes. The geothermal electrical installed capacity in the world is 7974 MW_e (year 2000), and the electrical energy generated is 49.3 billion kWh/year, representing 0.3 % of the world total electrical energy which was 15,342 billion kWh in 2000. In developing countries, where total installed electrical power is still low, geothermal energy can play a significant role: in the Philippines 21% of electricity comes from geothermal steam, 20% in El Salvador, 17% in Nicaragua, 10% in Costa Rica and 8% in Kenya. Electricity is produced with an efficiency of 10–17%. The geothermal kWh is generally cost-competitive with conventional sources of energy, in the range 2–10 UScents/kWh, and the geothermal electrical capacity installed in the world (1998) was 1/5 of that from biomass, but comparable with that from wind sources.The thermal capacity in non-electrical uses (greenhouses, aquaculture, district heating, industrial processes) is 15,14 MW_t (year 2000). Financial investments in geothermal electrical and non-electrical uses world-wide in the period 1973–1992 were estimated at about US$22,000 million. Present technology makes it possible to control the environmental impact of geothermal exploitation, and an effective and easily implemented policy to encourage geothermal energy development, and the abatement of carbon dioxide emissions would take advantage from the imposition of a carbon tax. The future use of geothermal energy from advanced technologies such as the exploitation of hot dry rock/hot wet rock systems, magma bodies and geopressured reservoirs, is briefly discussed. While the viability of hot dry rock technology has been proven, research and development are still necessary for the other two sources. A brief discussion on training of specialists, geothermal literature, on-line information, and geothermal associations concludes the review.     

Geothermal slim holes for small off-grid power projects

Economically viable, small (100 kW_e to 1000 kW_e), geothermal power generation units using slim holes are available for the production of electrical power in remote areas and for rural electrification in developing countries. Based on borehole data from geothermal fields in the United States and Japan, slim holes have been proven as adequate fuel sources for small-scale geothermal power plants (SSGPPs) and can deliver enough geothermal fluid to the wellhead in a baseload mode to be of practical interest for off-grid electrification projects. The electrical generating capacity of geothermal fluids which can be produced from typical slim holes (150-mm diameter or less), both by conventional, self-discharge, flash-steam methods for hotter geothermal reservoirs, and by binary-cycle technology with downhole pumps for low- to moderate-temperature reservoirs are estimated using a simplified theoretical approach. Depending mainly on reservoir temperature, the numerical simulations indicate that electrical capacities from a few hundred kilowatts to over one megawatt per slim hole are possible. In addition to the advantage of price per kilowatt-hour in off-grid applications, SSGPPs fueled by slim holes are far more environmentally benign than fossil-burning power plants, which is crucial in view of current worldwide climate-change concerns and burgeoning electricity demand in the less-developed and developing countries.     

Lumped-parameter models for low-temperature geothermal fields and their application

The behavior of low-temperature geothermal reservoirs under exploitation is simulated using analytical lumped-parameter models. These models consider the effects of fluid production and reinjection, as well as natural recharge, on the pressures (or water levels) of low-temperature, liquid-dominated geothermal systems. The computed responses for constant production/injection flow rates are given in the form of analytical expressions. Variable flow rate cases are modeled, based on the Duhamel's principle. Reservoir parameters are obtained by applying a weighted nonlinear least-squares estimation technique in which measured field data are history matched to the corresponding model response. By using history-matched models, the future performance of the reservoir can be predicted for different production/injection scenarios in order to optimize the management of a given geothermal system.We demonstrate the applicability of the models by simulating measured data from the Laugarnes geothermal field in Iceland, and the Balcova–Narlidere field in Turkey.     

Large-scale geo-energy development: sustainability impacts

Geothermal energy is a renewable and alternative energy with the potential to replace fossil fuels and help mitigate global warming. However, the development of geothermal energy has environmental, economic and social-cultural consequences, which needs to be predicted beforehand and then mitigated. To guarantee a sustainable development, it is, therefore, essential to consider the relative potential impacts. From a sustainability point of view, in the present study, a comprehensive analysis of consequences of geothermal energy development is conducted, including environmental, economic and societal & cultural dimensions. The geothermal energy industry will prosper only if sustainable aspects can be integrally considered.     

Sulfate-water isotope thermometry applied to geothermal systems

The oxygen isotopic fractionation between sulfate ion and water is a useful measure of the temperature of geothermal reservoirs. The rate of the oxygen isotopic exchange reaction between sulfate and water in acid to neutral thermal waters of a temperature of 100°C or higher is sufficiently fast to justify that the sulfates are in isotopic equilibrium with the reservoir waters. The isotopic thermometer has been successfully applied to several Japanese geothermal fields. The temperatures measured by this method are in good agreement with silica and alkali-temperatures. Some factors affecting the results as well as the analytical techniques of the oxygen isotopic analyses of sulfates are discussed.     

Geothermal reservoir simulation

This paper is intended to be a state of the art review of geothermal reservoir simulation. Its recent application to the modelling of real geothermal reservoirs is described and put in the context of an emerging general approach to reservoir modelling. The use of computer simulation for geothermal well test analysis is described. One of the main recent uses of reservoir simulators has been for conducting numerical experiments aimed at improving the understanding of geothermal reservoir physics. Such studies on fractured reservoirs, the thermal structure of reservoirs and the effects of non-condensable gases and dissolved salts are outlined.     

基于全生命周期的地热发电系统环境影响评价

为明确不同类型地热发电系统“获取、转化”环节的钻井、建设、运行、退役等不同过程对地热发电系统的环境影响贡献,本文建立了基于热力学优化模型的闪蒸/双工质地热发电系统全生命周期环境影响评价模型。进而,选取西藏羊八井、广东丰顺、华北油田及青海共和四种典型地热热储,整理和收集了我国地热发电系统的环境影响全生命周期环境影响清单,分析了地热发电站六个不同过程对三个主要环境影响潜值评价指标：酸化潜值、富营养化潜值和全球变暖潜值的影响规律。发现钻井完井过程分别平均占到地热电站酸化潜值、全球变暖潜值和富营养化潜值的46.28%、45.90%和27.52%,地下系统和地上系统的环境影响贡献相当;地热梯度与地热电站的全生命周期环境影响潜值有着负相关关系,梯度越大,环境影响潜值越低。。     

Monitoring production using surface deformation: the Hijiori test site and the Okuaizu geothermal field,Japan

Production in geothermal reservoirs often leads to observable surface displacement. As shown in this paper, there is a direct relationship between such displacement and reservoir dynamics. This relationship is exploited in order to image fluid flow at two geothermal field sites. At the first locality, the Hijiori Hot Dry Rock (HDR) test site, 17 tilt meters record deformation associated with a 2.2 km deep injection experiment. Images of fluid migration along a ring fracture system of the collapsed Hijiori caldera are obtained. At the Okuaizu geothermal field, leveling and tilt meter data provide constraints on long- and short-term fluid movement within the reservoir. A set of 119 leveling data suggest that the north-to-northeast trending Takiyagawa fault acts as a barrier to flow. The northwesterly oriented Chinoikezawa and Sarukurazawa faults appear to channel fluid from the southeast. The tilt data from Okuaizu indicate that a fault paralleling the Takiyagawa fault zone acts as a conduit to transient flow, on a time scale of several weeks. The volume strain in a region adjacent to the injection wells reaches a maximum and then decreases with time. The transient propagation of fluid along the fault may be due to pressure build-up, resulting from the re-initiation of injection.