Preliminary studies of the reservoir capacity and the generating potential of the Baca geothermal field, New Mexico

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1982 · Water Resour. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/WR018i006p01713· OSTI ID:5792012

Bodvarsson, G S; Vonder Haar, S; Wilt, M; Tsang, C F

A 50-MW/sub e/ geothermal power plant is being considered for the Baca site in the Valles Caldera, New Mexico, as a joint venture of the Department of Energy (DOE) and Union Oil Company of California. To date, over 20 wells have been drilled on the prospect, and the data from these wells indicate the presence of a high-temperature, liquid-dominated reservoir. In this paper, data from the open literature on the physical characteristics of the field are used to estimate the amount of hot water in place (reservoir capacity) and the length of time the reservoir can supply steam for a 50-MW/sub e/ power plant (reservoir longevity). The reservoir capacity is estimated to be 10/sup 12/ kg of hot fluid by volumetric calculations using existing geological, geophysical, and well data. The criteria used are described and the sensitivity of the results discussed. The longevity of the field is studied using a two-phase numerical simulator (SHAFT79). A number of cases are simulated based upon different boundary condition and upon injection and production criteria. The results obtained from the simulation studies indicate that it is questionable that the Baca field can supply enough steam for a 50-MW/sub e/ power plant for 30 years. Although the estimated reservoir reserves greatly exceed those needed for a 50-MW/sub e/ power plant, the low transmissivity of the reservoir would cause localized boiling and rapid pressure decline during exploitation. It is therefore apparent that the conventional zero-dimensional (lumped parameter models) cannot be used to evaluate the generation capacities of low-permeability fields such as the Baca field.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., California
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 5792012
• Journal Information: Water Resour. Res.; (United States), Vol. 18:6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
BACA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
CAPACITY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PRODUCTIVITY
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
EXPLORATORY WELLS
FORECASTING
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
NEW MEXICO
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RESERVES
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
USA
WELLS
150201* - Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems- USA- (-1989)