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Title: Spectral SP: A New Approach to Mapping Reservoir Flow and Permeability

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1345903· OSTI ID:1345903
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI (United States). Hawaii Inst. of Geophysics
  2. Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI (United States)
  3. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Our objectives for the current project were to develop an innovative inversion and analysis procedure for magnetotelluric field data and time variable self-potentials that will enable us to map not only the subsurface resistivity structure of a geothermal prospect but to also delineate the permeability distribution within the field. Hence, the ultimate objective were to provide better targeting information for exploratory and development drilling of a geothermal prospect. Field data were collected and analyzed from the Kilauea Summit, Kilauea East Rift Zone, and the Humuula Saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes. All of these areas were known or suspected to have geothermal activity of varying intensities. Our results provided evidence for significant long-term coordinated changes in spontaneous potential that could be associated with subsurface flows, significant interferences were encountered that arose from surface environmental changes (rainfall, temperature) that rendered it nearly impossible to unequivocally distinguish between deep fluid flow changes and environmental effects. Further, the analysis of the inferred spontaneous potential changes in the context of depth of the signals, and hence, permeability horizons, were unable to be completed in the time available.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Geothermal Technologies Office
Contributing Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
EE0005517
OSTI ID:
1345903
Report Number(s):
DOE-UH-55517
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English