Reservoir engineering aspects of reinjection

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Geothermics; (United States)

OSTI ID:6354713

Horne, R N

This paper discusses aspects of reinjection that affect geothermal reservoir performance. It is based on field observations throughout the world. Three specific areas are examined. First, the problem of maintaining reliable and consistent injectivity by avoiding precipitation of dissolved solids. Injectivity loss has been prevented in some fields, but not in all. The second problem is that of determining where the reinjected water goes, in order to analyse the likely behaviour of the system before productivity difficulties begin. In this regard tracers are the most important reservoir engineering tool, and the collective worldwide experience in their use is summarized in tables. The third problem is that of loss of production performance due to invasion of reinjected water, as has occurred in several highly fractured fields. Early recognition of this difficulty is the major purpose of tracer testing; however, the complete interpretation of these tests remains one of the most significant outstanding problems in reservoi engineering. These three aspects of the reinjection problem are discussed in detail and the current status of reservoir engineering approach to these problems is summarized. Examples are given from operating geothermal fields in Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines and El Salvador.

• Research Organization: Department of Petroleum Engineering, Stanford University, California
• OSTI ID: 6354713
• Report Number(s): CONF-840508-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Geothermics; (United States) Journal Volume: 14:2/3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150906* -- Geothermal Engineering-- Reservoir Stimulation & Extraction Technology
ASIA
AUSTRALASIA
CENTRAL AMERICA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
EL SALVADOR
ENGINEERING
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
ISLANDS
JAPAN
LATIN AMERICA
NEW ZEALAND
PHILIPPINES
REINJECTION
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
WELLS