Gravity and elevation changes in the Travale geothermal field (Tuscany) Italy

The results of precise levelling measurements on a specially constructed network of benchmarks in the Travale geothermal area (Tuscany, Italy) revealed the subsidence of the central part of this area, at an average rate of 20 mm/year in the period 1978 – 1980. Two sets of gravity measurements over the same time-interval, using two Lacoste — Romberg gravimeters, have an average standard error of 2–4 μGal for the main network, and 4–8 μGal for the auxiliary network. The observed g variations fall within the error range in most of the stations. The variations noted in the stations in the south-western area of the field clearly fall outside the confidence interval, and cannot entirely be attributed to changes in elevation.An absolute gravity station was set up at Palazzo at Piano (Siena), where measurements were made by the IMGC absolute gravimeter, to detect any long-term gravity variations induced by geodynamic events.     

A broadband tensorial magnetotelluric study in the Travale geothermal field

As a contribution to the EEC study of the potential contribution of electric and electromagnetic techniques to geothermal exploration, magnetotelluric studies have been undertaken with a sounding bandwidth ranging from 2 to 7 decades of period at more than 30 sites within the chosen test area of Travale. This area must be one of the most unfavourable for the application of electrical techniques on account both of the thickness (up to 2 km) of conducting (< 1 ohm · m in some locations) cover formations and of the intensity of the artificial disturbances from local power stations and distribution lines. Nevertheless it has been possible to obtain good quality data over part of the sounding band employing an automatic in-field analysis system and rigorous data analysis and to penetrate to reservoir depths at the centre of the graben by undertaking broadband soundings (up to 10' s) at some sites. For interpretation of the data for periods up to about 100 s, 2-D modelling is both satisfactory and essential (1-D modelling provides correct layer resistivities but underestimates interface depths) and good agreement has been obtained for an electrical structure model and the relevant geological section. The 2-D models, which best fit the long period data, are characterised both by zones of highly conducting flysch cover formations and by an anomalously conducting basement. Restriction of the study to a test area within the Travate graben inhibits the unequivocal association of these conducting zones with the thermal anomaly.     

An updated numerical model of the Larderello–Travale geothermal system, Italy

Larderello–Travale is one of the few geothermal systems in the world that is characterized by a reservoir pressure much lower than hydrostatic. This is a consequence of its natural evolution from an initial liquid-dominated to the current steam-dominated system. Beneath a nearly impermeable cover, the geothermal reservoir consists of carbonate-anhydrite formations and, at greater depth, by metamorphic rocks. The shallow reservoir has temperatures in the range of 220–250 °C, and pressures of about 20 bar at a depth of 1000 m, while the deep metamorphic reservoir has temperatures of 300–350 °C, and pressures of about 70 bar at a depth of 3000 m. The 3D numerical code “TOUGH2” has been used to conduct a regional modeling study to investigate the production mechanism of superheated steam, the interactions between the geothermal field and the surrounding deep aquifers, and the field sustainability. All the available geoscientific data collected in about one century of exploration and exploitation have been used to provide the necessary input parameters for the model, which covers an area (4900 km²) about 10 times wider than the Larderello–Travale geothermal field (400 km²). The numerical model explains the origin of the steam extracted in about one century of exploitation and shows that, at the current level, the production is sustainable at least for the next 100 years.     

Application of active audiomagnetotellurics (AAMT) in the geothermal field of Travale, Tuscany

In October 1981 the AAMT method was tested in the geothermal field of Travale. This method is based on the MT method, but uses artificial EM fields excited by a transmitter some kilometres from the receiving station. The transmitter consists of a switch mode amplifier for the lower frequency band (< 300 Hz) and six stacked linear amplifiers for the high frequency band. Maximum output is about 5 kW. For measurement of the very small EM field at the receiver the correlation technique is used to obtain best noise rejection. Interpretation of measured data is done by model calculations with the help of a near field theory. Cagniard's theory is found to be applicable only for high frequencies (i.e. short periods). The final result is a three-layer model in good agreement with known geology and resistivity models from other authors.     

Preliminary geothermal model of the travale field, Italy

Based on geological and geothermal knowledge of the Travale geothermal field, a mathematical model is proposed for the heat transfer from the top of the reservoir to the soil surface.Consistency between observed and calculated temperatures demonstrates that the heat is transferred by conduction and that the established temperature field depends essentially on the temperature at the top of the reservoir and its slope.     

An oxygen isotope study of silicates in the larderello geothermal field, Italy

Stable-isotope analyses were carried out on hydrothermal minerals sampled from the deep metamorphic units at Larderello, Italy. The ∂¹⁸O values obtained for the most retentive minerals, quartz and tourmaline, are from + 12.0‰ to + 14.7‰ and 9.9‰, respectively, and indicate deposition from an ¹⁸O-rich fluid. Calculated ∂¹⁸O values for these fluids range from + 5.3‰ to + 13.4‰. These values, combined with available fluid inclusion and petrographic data, are consistent with the proposed existence of an early thermal fluid of probable magmatic origin and a late meteoric water. Mixing between these two fluids occurred locally.     

Natural electric field survey in three Southern Italy geothermal areas

The intensity of natural electric fields, as measured in three geothermal areas in southern Italy, varies from a few mV/m to more than 10 mV/m. Such extremely high values may be explained as due to self-potentials generated at the contact between the highly conductive water solutions inside the geothermal system and the waters outside the system and/or at the contact between altered and non-altered rocks.     

Electrical conductivity and P-wave velocity in rock samples from high-temperature Icelandic geothermal fields

Measurements of electrical conductivity and P-wave velocity of seven rock samples were made in the laboratory under inferred in situ conditions. The samples were collected from smectite and chlorite alteration zones in boreholes from the Krafla and Hengill, Iceland, geothermal areas. The measurements were done in the 25–250 °C range, with pore pressure and confining pressure equal to inferred in situ hydrostatic and lithostatic pressures, respectively. Conductivity increases linearly with temperature over the 30–170 °C range; that rise is considerably smaller above 170 °C. Time-dependent effects on conductivity occur above approximately 100 °C. These effects may be related to ion exchange between the clay minerals or the Stern layer, and the pore fluid. The temperature coefficient of conductivity is found to be considerably higher than attributed to pore fluid conduction alone, indicating interface conduction in an electrical double layer on the mineral-water interface in the pores. The results also show that there is no distinction in electrical conduction mechanism in the smectite and chlorite alteration zones; both are dominated by interface conductivity under in situ conditions. The sharp decrease in conductivity at the top of the chlorite alteration zone, commonly observed in resistivity surveys in high-temperature geothermal systems, is most likely due to the lower cation exchange capacity of chlorite compared to that of smectite.     

Application of fluid inclusions to the study of Bagnore geothermal field (Tuscany, Italy)

A fluid inclusion study of the hydrothermal minerals in two breccias from two wells in the Bagnore geothermal field (Italy) has provided information on the evolution of the fluids, and has also demonstrated that fluid inclusions can be utilized as geothermometers in this geothermal field. Both breccias come from reservoir zones: one (Bagnore 3bis (Bg 3bis)) was cored at a depth of 3111 m below ground level (b.g.l.), whereas the other (Bagnore 22 (Bg 22)) was ejected during a blow-out, probably from a fractured zone present between 2200 and 2300 m b.g.l. The hydrothermal cement of the breccias is mostly made up of quartz, K-feldspar, Na-rich plagioclase, calcite, chlorite and illite. Fluid inclusion studies were carried out on quartz (Bg 3bis and Bg 22 breccias) and adularia (Bg 22 breccia). Three types of fluid inclusions were recognized in the Bg 3bis breccia. Type I (liquid-rich) inclusions trapped an aqueous fluid with a CO₂ concentration (1.7–2.7 mol/kg) that is significantly higher than present-day fluids (0.5 mol/kg). Type II (liquid-rich) inclusions formed after type I, and trapped a fluid with less CO₂ (0.6–1.0 mol/kg). Type III (vapor-rich) coexist with type I inclusions, and record an early fluid circulation under boiling conditions. The decrease of the CO₂ (and total gas) concentrations from type I inclusions to type II inclusions, and on to present-day conditions can be related to boiling with gas loss and/or mixing. Only one type of fluid inclusion (type II), with moderate CO₂ concentration (0.7–0.3 mol/kg), was found in the Bg 22 breccia. Boiling and/or mixing explain the variation of the CO₂ content in the Bg 22 reservoir fluid from inclusion formation to modern CO₂ concentration (0.3 mol/kg). The absence of any type I inclusions in Bg 22 breccia may be related to non-uniform CO₂ concentrations in different parts of the field. Present-day temperatures (295±10 °C for Bg 3bis and 320±10 °C for Bg 22) are close or equal to fluid inclusion average total homogenization temperatures (around 290 °C for Bg 3bis and 320 °C for Bg 22), suggesting that fluid inclusions can be useful for estimating local temperatures when direct measurements are not available or dubious.     

Gas-water interface rise during early exploitation tests in alfina geothermal field (Northern Latium, Italy)

Alfina geothermal field is made up of a gas-cap (CO₂) overlying an almost closed aquifer. The wells drilled in the highest part of the reservoir produce gas while the others either produce hot water or are sterile.During the first production tests the analysis of pressure and water-levels showed that the gas-water interface had risen. This was later confirmed when a gas-producing well began carrying water.This paper attempts to explain field behaviour by means of simple calculations and assuming an idealized geological structure.This study gives an estimation of the average porosity and initial gas in place.     

Hydrothermal alteration in the Aluto-Langano geothermal field, Ethiopia

The hydrothermal mineral assemblages found in eight wells (with a depth range of 1320–2500 m) of the active geothermal field of Aluto-Langano (Ethiopia) indicate a complex evolution of water-rock interaction processes. The zone of upflow is characterized by high temperatures (up to 335°C) and the presence of a propylitic alteration (epidote, calcite, quartz and chlorite, as major phases) coexisting with calcite and clay minerals. The zone of lateral outflow is characterized by mixing of deep and shallow waters and the occurrence of a calcite-clay alteration that overprints a previous propylitic assemblage. Clay minerals have a mushroom-shaped zonal distribution consistent with the present thermal structure of the field. Microprobe analyses have been carried out on chlorite and illite in order to apply several geothermometers. Most of the chlorite is iron-rich chlorite. It is found that the temperatures calculated from the chlorite geothermometer (159–292°C) after Cathelineau and Nieva [Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 91, 235–244 (1985)] are in good agreement with in-hole measured temperatures (155–300°C). In the upflow zone, temperatures calculated from this geothermometer (217–292°C), together with fluid inclusion data of Valori et al. [Eur. J. Mineral. 4, 907–919 (1992)], and computed saturation indices of alteration minerals, indicate thermal stability or slight heating. On the other hand, evidence of a significant cooling process (up to 171°C) in the outflow zone is provided by the comparison between fluid inclusion homogenization temperature (240–326°C) and in-hole temperature (155–250°C). The apparent salinities (0.8–2.3 wt% NaCl eq.) of the fluid inclusions are generally higher than the salinity of the present reservoir fluid (0.29–0.36 wt% NaCl eq.). Clay minerals (illite, smectite, Ill/S mixed layers, vermiculite and chloritic intergrades) generally occur at temperatures consistent with their stability fields.     

Preliminary isotopic studies of fluids from the Cerro Prieto geothermal field

Preliminary isotopic studies of Cerro Prieto geothermal fluids and earlier studies of Mexicali Valley ground waters suggest local recharge of the geothermal system from the area immediately to the west. Oxygen isotope exchange of water with reservoir rock minerals at temperatures increasing with depth has produced fluids with oxygen-18 contents increasing with depth, and pressure drawdown in the southeastern part of the field has allowed lower oxygen-18 fluids to invade the production aquifer from above. The contents of tritium and carbon-14 in the fluid suggest only that the age of the fluid is between 50 and 10,000 years. The isotopic compositions of carbon and sulfur are consistent with a magmatic origin of these elements but a mixed sedimentary-organic origin appears more likely for carbon and is also possible for sulfur. Investigations of the isotopic compositions of geothermal and cold ground waters continue and are being expanded as fluids become available and as separation and analysis methods are improved.     

Investigation of the geothermal anomaly of Travale (Tuscany) by telluric, magnetotelluric and geomagnetic deep sounding measurements

As part of the European Community research programme telluric, magnetotelluric and geomagnetic deep sounding measurements were undertaken at 40 sites within the geothermal area of Travale. In the period range of 6–10,000 s the telluric field inside the Travale graben is strongly polarized and directed, independent of the period, about parallel to the graben strike. The lateral variation of the telluric field amplitude is determined mainly by the distribution of the rocks (e.g. the central part of the geothermal anomaly inside the graben is correlated with a horst structure of resistive rocks) and an influence of the geothermal anomaly on the telluric field distribution cannot be observed. The apparent resistivity, as well as the phase curves, are rather similar at all sites within the graben, exhibiting 4–40 ohm · m for periods of 10 s and 50–500 ohm · m for periods of 10,000 s in E-polarization. In the period range of 10–100 s the E- and B-polarization of magnetotelluric measurements can be interpreted by the 2-D effect of the Travale graben, while with increasing period the induced current system becomes more and more 3-D below all sites. This limits the determination of the sedimentary cover thickness (max. 2500 m) by 1-D and 2-D model calculations to periods of less than 100 s.     

Sustainability of the Hatchobaru geothermal field, Japan

The Hatchobaru power plant Unit No. 1 (55 MW) has been operating since 1977 and Unit No. 2 (55 MW) since 1990. The mean capacity factor of the power plant has reached about 90%. Considering that the long-term operation of the plant, over 30 years for Unit No. 1 and nearly 20 years for Unit No. 2, has been maintained with such a high capacity factor, sustainable development in terms of economic production has been achieved. To maintain a stable operation, systematic reservoir monitoring and reservoir simulation studies have been conducted. The monitoring of changes in reservoir pressure, temperature and gravity indicates that the reservoir is currently approaching a stable state. Results of a simulation study suggest that the sustainable power output of the Hatchobaru reservoir is approximately 120 MW, and each productive fault has the capacity to produce enough steam to generate from 11 to 55 MW. Therefore, it would be possible to maintain the rated power output of 110 MW by optimizing well alignments so that the mass production can be kept within the sustainable productivity of each fault, and the injected water does not cool the production zones.     

Fluid inclusions in minerals from the geothermal fields of Tuscany,Italy

A reconnaissance study on fluid inclusions from the geothermal fields of Tuscany indicates that the hydrothermal minerals were formed by fluids which were, at least in part, boiling. Four types of aqueous inclusions were recognized: (A) two-phase (liquid + vapor) liquid rich, (B) two-phase (vapor + liquid) vapor rich, (C) polyphase hypersaline liquid rich and (D) three phase—H₂O liquid + CO₂ liquid + CO₂-rich vapor. Freezing and heating microthermometric determinations are reported for 230 inclusions from samples from six wells. It is suggested that boiling of an originally homogeneous, moderately saline, CO₂-bearing liquid phase produced a residual hypersaline brine and a CO₂-rich vapor phase. There are indications of a temperature decrease in the geothermal field of Larderello, especially in its peripheral zones.     

Scaling in the reservoir in Kizildere geothermal field, Turkey

At Kizildere geothermal field, the fluid in the reservoir is hot pressurized water at 200°C containing about 2% CO₂ dissolved in the fluid by weight. During production, as the pressure decreases this gas is released into the vapor phase. When the reservoir fluid loses its dissolved CO₂ the equilibrium of the dissolved solids is destroyed and deposition occurs, either in the reservoir or in the well. Scaling in the well can be cleaned mechanically but it is more or less impossible to clean the reservoir. Thus the gas must be kept dissolved in the water until it reaches the well. At Kizildere the wells are cleaned every six months of production. After cleaning it has been observed that some of the wells regain their original production values and others do not. Well KD-14 was deepened and incrustation noted on the cuttings coming from the reservoir. On closing the wells some of them retain their well-head pressure at a constant value, whereas in others a pressure build-up continues at the well-head. Normally the static WHP are around 5 – 6 kg/cm². However, after closure of the master-valve in wells KD14 and KD15 the WHP continued to increase until all the water column in the well was changed by the gas. This phenomenon occurs because of the presence of free gas in the reservoir.     

Seismic noise measurements in the Mt. Amiata geothermal area, Italy

A seismic noise study has been carried out on the well-known Mt. Amiata geothermal area; the aim of this work is to understand the correlation between the geothermal system and seismic noise characteristics. The power spectra of the recorded noise show that in the whole geothermal area a low frequency noise (3 Hz) is predominant. The fitting of the results with a pressure variation source model shows contradictory results.     

Development history of the Tiwi geothermal field, Philippines

Commercial production of electricity from the Tiwi geothermal system began in 1979. In 1982, Tiwi became the world's first water-dominated system to produce more than 160 MWe. Today the field supplies about 11% of Luzon's electricity. Initially, the reservoir was single-phase liquid with a small, shallow steam zone on the east side. Temperature reversals in the first wells showed the east to be an outflow zone. As production began, reservoir pressure declined, two-phase conditions developed, and groundwater entered the reservoir from the east. As many production wells cooled, brine production increased and generation decreased from about 280 MWe in 1983 to about 190 MWe in 1986. Improvements to surface facilities and new wells drilled farther west raised generation to about 280 MWe by mid-1993. Separated brine was first injected into the reservoir, but this lowered steam production; injection is now outside the field.