Modeling studies on Cerro Prieto

Conference · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6465813

Lippmann, M J; Bodvarsson, G S

Numerical simulation techniques are employed in studies of the natural flow of heat and mass through the Cerro Prieto reservoir and of the effects of exploitation on the field's behavior. We consider a two-dimensional model that is based on the hydrogeologic model of Halfman et al. (this volume). The numerical code MULKOM is used in the simulation studies. In the simulations of the natural state of the Cerro Prieto system, we employ five models that differ in prescribed material properties, boundary conditions, or geologic features. For each of these models we compute the steady-state pressure and temperature distributions and compare them against known preproduction pressures and temperatures. A good match between observed and calculated temperature and pressure distributions was obtained, and a natural hot-water flow rate of about 10/sup -2/ kg/s m through the geothermal system was calculated. The models are then used to simulate the behavior of the field under exploitation during the years 1973 to 1978. An acceptable match of temperature and pressure changes in the producing reservoir was obtained. The resulting flow patterns illustrate the effects of cold water recharge, boiling zones and hot fluid flow from depth on the overall field performance. The fluid recharge patterns agree with some of those postulated in earlier studies.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 6465813
• Report Number(s): LBL-14897; CERRO-PRIETO-25; CONF-8208109-6; ON: DE83009053
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150202* -- Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems-- Non-USA-- (-1989)
CERRO PRIETO GEOTHERMAL FIELD
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
EXPLOITATION
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
Geothermal Legacy
HEAT FLOW
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PERFORMANCE
RECHARGE
SIMULATION
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION