Conceptual Models

of Geothermal Systems
By Soekoesen Soemarinda,
Trisakti University, 28th April 2018

Sources:
Bridget Y. Lynne
The Geothermal Institute, University of Auckland

Final-Geothermal Handbook
Basic Conceptual Model
General concept of a geothermal
system
Above hot up
flow zone
Acid sulphate water Bicarbonat
Alkali chloride water e
waters on
margin
Schematic View
of an Ideal
geothermal
system
Typical
Geothermal
System
Temperature with Depth
gradient
Normal gradient 10 - 40 < 100˚C/km

Anomalous heat flow (higher than normal) = >100

˚C/km
Due to magmatic processes
Geothermal Systems
Different Conceptual Models

• High temperature systems

• Low temperature systems
• Heat Sweep systems
• Hot dry rock systems
• Submarine systems
• Volcanic
systems
High temperature geothermal system

reservoir temperatures >125 ° C

•
boiling or two phase conditions exist
•
able to generate electricity
•
anomalous temperature gradient (magmatism)
•
Cyclic:
• water circulates advecting thermal energy
• open system
• flow driven by magmas, gravity, structures
• hydro-pressured (hydrostatic gradient)
Conceptual model of high temperature field
Conceptual
model of high
temperature
geothermal
systems
 New Zealand situated on plate boundary
= subduction → high heat flow areas
active volcanism
active faulting
HIGH TEMPERATURE GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS

TVZ

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/volcanoes/2/
2
Different Conceptual Models

• High temperature systems

• Low temperature systems
• Heat Sweep systems
• Hot dry rock systems
• Submarine systems
• Volcanic
systems
Low temperature geothermal system
• reservoir temperatures <125 ° C
• no boiling
• used for direct heating only
• average temp gradient
• deep penetrating faults permeability
Storage:
• water locked in rocks (e.g. pore space)
• commonly hosted in sedimentary rocks
• pressures exceed hydrostatic, up to lithostatic in some cases
• flow occurs when the rock formation is intersected by drill hole
• geo-pressured
 Simple Temperature
Model
▶Horizontal
fluid movement influenced by
permeable strata
▶Hot water can be accessed by shallow wells

▶permeable fault-penetrates 2-4 km depth

▶heating lowers water density making it
buoyant
▶convective circulation confined to fault
plane
Conceptual
model of high
temperature
geothermal
systems
Hot spring 60 ° C : Low Temp
example
Different Conceptual Models

• High temperature systems

• Low temperature systems
• Heat Sweep
systems
• Hot dry rock systems
• Submarine systems
• Volcanic
systems
Heat – Sweep Systems

• These are not associated with magma

• Heat energy comes from geothermal gradient
• Quite common in areas with normal faulting
• Low enthalpy systems
•
•
•
•
Different Conceptual Models

• High temperature systems

• Low temperature systems
• Heat Sweep systems
• Hot dry rock systems
• Submarine systems
• Volcanic
systems
Hot Dry Rocks – Enhanced Geothermal
Systems (EGS)
• Thermal energy locked in rocks lacking fracture networks
or interconnected pore space
• Permeability structure is engineered (hydrofracturing)
• Thermal energy transferred by circulating fluid down one
well and up a second well.
• High risk…little success.
Different Conceptual Models

• High temperature systems

• Low temperature systems
• Heat Sweep systems
• Hot dry rock systems
• Submarine systems
• Volcanic
systems
Submarine Systems
Kermadec arc
volcanoes:
submarine
classic sites for
geothermal
systems
Different Conceptual Models

• High temperature systems

• Low temperature systems
• Heat Sweep systems
• Hot dry rock systems
• Submarine systems
• Volcanic
systems
Active Volcanic-Magmatic System
 Volcanic – geothermal models
White Island, NZ

Mt
Tongariro Volcanic -
Mt Ngauruhoe Volcanic – geothermal
models geothermal
White Island, NZ
Mt
Ruapehu
models

Photo:
Christian
 Bicarbonate Acid sulphate water
waterson
margin
Alkalichloridewater
Volcanic
system
conceptual
model
How do you build your
conceptual model ?

Conceptual models
When developing conceptual models the
focus should be placed on the following
data / information (1)
▶ Surface geological and structural maps and other related information.
Particular emphasis should be placed on information on fractures, faults and
the general tectonic setting (including crustal stress conditions at the location
in question). Aerial photos and other remote sensing data should also be
considered, if available.
▶ Borehole information including location and design.
▶ Borehole geological data including geological cross sections and information
on zones of circulation losses.
▶ Information on porosity of different formations, as far as available.
▶ Data on borehole alteration mineralogy.
▶ Surface geophysical data including gravity data, magnetic data and resistivity
data. Emphasis should be placed on available interpretations of such data.
When developing conceptual models the
focus should be placed on the following
data / information (2)
▶ Seismic data, including information on regional seismicity, micro-earthquake
data and seismic survey data (seldom available), as well as relevant
interpretations.
▶ Information on temperature and pressure conditions in the geothermal system
from well-logging data. Also initial temperature- and pressure-models, if
available.
▶ Information on feed-zone locations based on circulation losses, temperature
and pressure logs, as well as spinner logs, if available.
▶ Pressure transient data, both from short-term well-tests and longer-term
interference tests, along with available interpretation results.
▶ Available information on the chemical composition and gas content of
reservoir fluid, including isotope data, e.g. based on samples from surface
manifestations.
When developing conceptual models the
focus should be placed on the following
data / information (3)
▶ Detailed well-by-well information on mass production history.
▶ Detailed well-by-well information on reinjection history.
▶ Monitoring data including information on reservoir pressure changes
(preferably from monitoring wells) and reservoir temperature changes as well
as changes in well-head pressure, well enthalpy, chemical content and gas
content.
▶ Reinjection test data, tracer test data and reinjection monitoring data.
▶ Surface monitoring data such as geodetic measurements (e.g. surface
subsidence data) and results of repeated micro-gravity surveying.
▶ Hydrogeological information on the whole geothermal region, including
available hydrogeological models incorporating ideas on regional flow,
recharge and boundaries.
▶ All relevant previous studies, in particular studies presenting conceptual
models, resource assessments, modelling work and chemical studies
Team of scientists from different
diciplines How a geologist sees things

How a geochemist sees the model

 Each setting is
unique –
multi-disciplines
approach
required
How a geophysicist views
the conceptual model

From: Kissling
& Weir, 2006,
JVGR
 How does our understanding of
conceptual models help
guide development and monitoring?

The type of geothermal system will determine how

it
is developed and/or monitored

For example

Volcanic system has a different set of issues to a

high temperature flat terrain system
Development and Monitoring of a Volcanic system
Terrain limitations
Safety limitations – toxic gases, lava flows
Casing corrosion – acidic environment
People live a long way from source increased pipeline costs
Active
Geothermal volcano
resource
Conclusion

• Conceptual models involve the

intergration of many data sets
from
different disciplines
• Constantly refining conceptual model
even
throughout
production
• Constantly refining monitoring program (how
often
and what to monitor) as systems change over
time
Thank
you