Krafla geothermal field, Iceland. I. Analysis of well test data

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Water Resour. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/WR020i011p01515· OSTI ID:5536199

Bodvarsson, G S; Benson, S M; Sigurdsson, O; Stefansson, V; Eliasson, E T

Extensive modeling studies of the Krafla geothermal field in Iceland are presented in a series of four papers. This first paper describes the geological settings of the field and the analysis of well test data. The geothermal system at Krafla is very complex, with a single-phase liquid reservoir overlying a two-phase reservoir. The reservoir rocks are volcanic with sequences of basalt flows, hyloclastics, and intrusions. The fluid flow in the reservoir is fracture dominated. Considerable pressure transient data from injection tests have been gathered from the Krafla wells. These data are analyzed to yield the transmissivity distribution in the reservoir system. As the data are complicated by various factors (wellbore effects, nonisothermal effects, two-phase flow, and fractured rocks) the applicability of conventional well test analysis methods is questionable. The authors have developed a methodology to analyze injection tests for such systems. The results obtained show that the transmissivity of the Krafla reservoir is low, averaging 2 Darcy meters (Dm). The average transmissivity of most commercially successful geothermal fields is an order of magnitude higher.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Berkeley
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 5536199
• Journal Information: Water Resour. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resour. Res.; (United States) Vol. 20:11; ISSN WRERA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150200* -- Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems
150303 -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Exploratory Drilling & Well Logging
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
EUROPE
EXPLORATORY WELLS
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
ICELAND
ISLANDS
KRAFLA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESOURCES
WELLS
WESTERN EUROPE