Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Possible effects of reinjection at Wairakei goethermal field

Conference · · Trans. - Geotherm. Resour. Counc.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6167254
Although the two-phase zone of Wairakei Field is in mass flow equilibrium, there is a net heat flow loss (approx. 700 MW) at present. Apart from the heat drawoff from the production borefield (approx. = 1600 MW), the major contributing factor appears to be natural steam flow through thermal areas (approx. = 600 MW). Reinjection of all waste water from the borefield would cause an additional heat flow loss of 400 to 500 MW. In the short-term, reinjection will improve the output of the borefield due to repressuring of the two-phase zone. However, in the long-term (> 5 years), substantial repressuring will reduce the hot, liquid inflow from depth. This inflow has provided most of the heat extracted from the field to date.
Research Organization:
Dept. of Scientific and Industrial Research, Wairakei, New Zealand
OSTI ID:
6167254
Report Number(s):
CONF-800920-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Trans. - Geotherm. Resour. Counc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English