PRODUCTION CAPACITY ASSESSMENT: NUMERICAL MODELING OF GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES

• Main Authors: Jonas Ketilsson, Gudni Axelsson, Halldor Palsson, Magnus Thor Jonsson
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Iceland
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.521.1673

In this study a deterministic modeling approach is developed for numerical simulation of geothermal resources, for assessment of production capacity. The simulator iTOUGH2 (i.e. Inverse modeling of Transport Of Unsaturated Groundwater and Heat) is used, for which comprehensive pre- and post-processor have been designed. The processors facilitate the creation of discrete irregular grids, visualization of physical conditions and visualization of convective pore velocities in the reservoir. The postprocessor also compares observed field data with the transient model response. The simulator optimizes selected parameters, minimizing the residual of observed and calculated response. Sensitivity and error analysis indicate whether high parameter correlations are present, which can indicate over-parameterization. The Svartsengi geothermal system in SW-Iceland, is used for model validation. Results show good agreement between the model and the reservoir response to production. Comparison to other models indicates that the present model is a potential alternative to the earlier models.