An exploitation model and performance predictions for the Ahuachapan Geothermal field, El Salvador

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Geothermics (International Journal of Geothermal Research and its Applications); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-6505(91)90031-P· OSTI ID:7117306

Ripperda, M; Bodvarsson, G S; Lippmann, L ^[1]; Cuellar, G; Escobar, C ^[2]

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1. Earth Sciences Div., Lawrence Berkeley Lab., Berkeley, CA (US)
2. Comision Ejecutiva Hidroelectrica del Rio Lempa, San Salvador (SV)

This paper reports on the Ahuachapan geothermal field in El Salvador which has been producing electrical power since 1975. The power plant currently generates at approximately 50 per cent of its total installed capacity of 95 MW{sub c} because of a substantial reservoir pressure drawdown and limited drilling of make-up wells. The focus of this study is to develop means for increasing the power production over the next 30 years. One possible option is to devise an injection scheme to decrease the pressure decline and increase the energy recovery from the reservoir. Another possibility is to drill step-out wells to increase the size of the wellfield. A three-dimensional numerical model of the field has been developed to determine the effects of injection and expanded fluid production. The model was used to predict the responses of the existing and proposed production wells for different levels of electrical power generation. The overall reservoir response to different exploitation and injection scenarios was also investigated. The model predicts that the geothermal system can provide steam to generate 90 MW{sub c} for no more than 20 y, even with reinjection and a large-scale drilling program. The results also indicate that the system can produce about 75 MW{sub c} for a 30-y period with significant reinjection and the drilling of about 20 new production wells.

• OSTI ID: 7117306
• Journal Information: Geothermics (International Journal of Geothermal Research and its Applications); (United States), Vol. 20:5; ISSN 0375-6505
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
AHUACHAPAN GEOTHERMAL FIELD
PERFORMANCE
ELECTRIC POWER
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
REINJECTION
WELL DRILLING
DRILLING
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
POWER
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
WELLS
150904* - Geothermal Engineering- Geothermal Reservoir & Well Performance
150906 - Geothermal Engineering- Reservoir Stimulation & Extraction Technology