A STUDY OF ALTERNATIVE REINJECTION SCHEMES FOR THE CERRO PRIETO GEOTHERMAL FIELD, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
It has become generally accepted that reinjection will be necessary for optimizing the exploitation of a geothermal field. Not only does this afford a way to solve the problem of disposal of cooled geothermal brine, but it also serves the purpose of maintaining reservoir pressure, thus reducing possible subsidence effects, and sustaining production flow rates. In addition, reinjection enhances thermal energy extraction from the reservoir rocks. However, reinjection creates a zone of relatively cold water around each injection well that will grow with time and eventually reach the production wells. When the cold water appears ('breaks through') in the producing wells, the efficiency of the operation may be drastically reduced. It is therefore important to design the system of injection wells to prevent cold water breakthrough before a specified time. For a given production field, it is essential that both the location and flow rates of the injection wells be optimized. In the present paper the results of an initial study of possible reinjection patterns for the Cerro Prieto geothermal field, Baja California, Mexico are discussed. First, the numerical model and assumptions made are described, then the various cases we studied are presented. The resulting data indicate what may be expected from different reinjection schemes and may provide useful guidelines for future reinjection operations at Cerro Prieto and other liquid-dominated geothermal fields.
- Research Organization:
- Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Earth Sciences Division
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 1004186
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-7064
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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