Using Reservoir Models for Monitoring Geothermal Surface Features

Authors: John P. O’Sullivan, Thomas M. P. Ratouis, Michael J. O’Sullivan

Abstract:

As the use of geothermal energy grows internationally more effort is required to monitor and protect areas with rare and important geothermal surface features. A number of approaches are presented for developing and calibrating numerical geothermal reservoir models that are capable of accurately representing geothermal surface features. The approaches are discussed in the context of cases studies of the Rotorua geothermal system and the Orakei-korako geothermal system, both of which contain important surface features. The results show that models are able to match the available field data accurately and hence can be used as valuable tools for predicting the future response of the systems to changes in use.

Keywords: Geothermal reservoir models, surface features, monitoring, TOUGH2.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1099521

References:

[1] Geothermal Energy Association, “Annual US & global geothermal power production report,” 2014.
[2] U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), “Levelized cost and levelized avoided cost of new generation resources in the annual energy outlook 2014,” 2014.
[3] A. Watson, Geothermal Engineering: Fundamentals and Applications. New York: Springer Science & Business Media, 2013, pp. 11–23.
[4] C. Bromley, “New Zealand geothermal progress: celebrating success through the test of time,” in Proc. 36th New Zealand Geothermal Workshop, Auckland, New Zealand, November 24-26, 2014.
[5] A.D. Cody, “Geodiversity of geothermal fields in the Taupo Volcanic Zone,” DOC Research & Development series 281 October 2007, New Zealand Department of Conservation, 2007.
[6] B. Lynne and T. Howe, “Surface Activity at OrakeiKorako Geothermal Field between 1927 and 2009,” Institute of Earth Science and Engineering, University of Auckland, 2010.
[7] B.W. O’Shaughnessy, “Use of economic instruments in management of Rotorua geothermal field, New Zealand,”Geothermics,vol. 29, pp. 539–555, 2000.
[8] M.J. O’Sullivan, K. Pruess and M.J. Lippmann, “State of the art of geothermal reservoir simulation,” Geothermics, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 395–429, 2001.
[9] A. Yeh, A.E. Croucher and M.J. O’Sullivan, “Recent developments in the AUTOUGH2 simulator,” in Proc. TOUGH Symposium 2012, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, September 17-19, 2012.
[10] G. Neilson,G.Bignall and D.Bradshaw, “Whakarewarewa a living thermal village –Rotorua, New Zealand,” in Proc. World Geothermal Congress 2010, Bali, Indonesia, 2010.
[11] J. Acland and L. Molloy, “Our world heritage: a tentative list of New Zealand cultural and natural heritage sites,” A Report to the Department of Conservation by the Cultural and Natural Heritage Advisory Groups, Department of Conservation, 2006.
[12] H.M. Bibby, G.B. Dawson, H.H Rayner, S.L. Bennie and C.L. Bromley, “Electrical resistivity and magnetic investigations of the geothermal systems in the Rotorua area, New Zealand,” Geothermics, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 43–64, 1992.
[13] C.P. Wood, “Geology of the Rotorua geothermal system,” Geothermics, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 25–41, 1992.
[14] R.B. Glover, “Integrated heat and mass discharges from the Rotorua geothermal system,” Geothermics, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 89–96, 1992.
[15] M.A Grant, M.J. McGuiness, S.R. Dalziel, Y. Razali and M.J. O'Sullivan, “A model of Rotorua geothermal field and springs,” in The Rotorua geothermal field - Technical report of the monitoring programme 1982-1985. Ministry of Energy, Wellington, 1985.
[16] C. Werner and C. Cardellini, “Carbon dioxide emissions from the Rotoruahydrothermal system, New Zealand,” in Proc. World Geothermal Congress 2005, Antalya, Turkey, 2005.
[17] D.A. Gordon, B. Scott, and E.K.Mroczek, “Rotorua geothermal field management monitoring update: 2005,” Environment Bay of Plenty Environmental publication 2005/12, 2005.
[18] Environment Bay of Plenty Regional Council (EBOP),“Rotorua Geothermal Regional Plan,” Resource Planning Publication 99/02. ISSN 1170 9022, 1999.
[19] T. Ratouis, M.J. O’Sullivan and J.P.O’Sullivan, “An Updated Numerical Model of Rotorua Geothermal Field,” Geothermics, submitted for publication, 2015.
[20] J. Burnell1, M.J. O’Sullivan, J. O’Sullivan, W. Kissling, A. Croucher, J. Pogacnik, S. Pearson, G. Caldwell, S. Ellis, S. Zarrouk, M.Climo, “Geothermal supermodels: the next generation of integrated geophysical, chemical and flow simulation modelling tools,” in Proc. World Geothermal Congress 2015, Melbourne, Australia, 2015.
[21] B.J. Scott and A.D. Cody, “Effects of bore closure at Rotorua, New Zealand,” in Proc. NEDO International Geothermal Symposium (1997), pp. 270–276, 1997.
[22] M.K. Stewart, G.L. Lyon, B.W. Robinson and R.B. Glover, “Fluid flow in the rotorua geothermal field derived from isotopic and chemical data,”Geothermics, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 141–163, 1992.
[23] E.F. Lloyd, Geology and hot springs of Orakeikorako, New Zealand. Wellington: Dept. of Scientific and Industrial Research, 1972.
[24] W. Mannington, M.J. O’Sullivan and D. Bullivant, “Computer modelling of the Wairakei–Tauhara geothermal system, New Zealand,”Geothermics, vol. 33, no. 4, pp.401–419, 2004.
[25] C. Boseley, W. Cumming, L. Urzúa-Monsalve, T. Powell and M. Grant, “A resource conceptual model for the Ngatamariki geothermal field based on recent exploration well drilling and 3D MT resistivity imaging,” in Proc. World Geothermal Congress 2010, Bali, Indonesia, 2010.
[26] D.S Sheppard and G.L Lyon, “Geothermal fluid chemistry of the Orakeikorako field, New Zealand,”J. of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, vol. 22, no. 3, pp.329–349, 1984.
[27] J.P O’Sullivan, S. Arthur and M.J. O’Sullivan, “A model of the Orakeikorako geothermal system, New Zealand,” J. of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, submitted for publication, 2015.
[28] E.F. Lloyd, “Orakeikorako geothermal field,” in New Zealand Geological Survey Report 38 – Minerals of New Zealand, Dept. of Scientific and Industrial Research, 1974.
[29] Waikatoregion.govt.nz,“Groundwater availability,”
[online] Available at: http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Environment/Environmental-information/Environmental-indicators/Freshwater/Groundwater/flow-5a-techinfo/ (Accessed 10 Dec. 2014), 2014.
[30] E.K. Clearwater, M.J. O’Sullivan and K. Brockbank, “Recent advances in modelling the Ohaaki geothermal field,” in Proc. 36th New Zealand Geothermal Workshop, Auckland, New Zealand, November 24-26, 2014.
[31] M.J. O'Sullivan, A. Yeh, J. Newson and W. Mannington, “An Update On Numerical Modelling Of The Wairakei-Tauhara Geothermal System,” in Proc. 36th New Zealand Geothermal Workshop, Auckland, New Zealand, November 24-26, 2014.
[32] C. Littler and N. Berry, “Geothermal features annual monitoring report - January 2013”, Waikato Regional Council Technical Report 2013/29. Waikato Regional Council, Hamilton, 2014