Interaction of cold-water aquifers with exploited reservoirs of the Cerro Prieto geothermal system
- Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA (USA)
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
Cerro Prieto geothermal reservoirs tend to exhibit good hydraulic communication with adjacent cool groundwater aquifers. Under natural state conditions the hot fluids mix with the surrounding colder waters along the margins of the geothermal system, or discharge to shallow levels by flowing up fault L. In response to exploitation reservoir pressures decrease, leading to changes in the fluid flow pattern in the system and to groundwater influx. The various Cerro Prieto reservoirs have responded differently to production, showing localized near-well or generalized boiling, depending on their access to cool-water recharge. Significant cooling by dilution with groundwater has only been observed in wells located near the edges of the field. In general, entry of cool water at Cerro Prieto is beneficial because it tends to maintain reservoir pressures, restrict boiling, and lengthen the life and productivity of wells. 15 refs., 10 figs., 1 tab.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/CE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 6669023
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-29046; CONF-900823--12; ON: DE90015728
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
150200* -- Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems
AQUIFERS
CERRO PRIETO GEOTHERMAL FIELD
COOLING
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS
GROUND WATER
Geothermal Legacy
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PRODUCTION
RESERVOIR PRESSURE
RESERVOIR ROCK
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
WATER
WATER INFLUX