1. Modelling of flow through naturally fractured geothermal reservoirs, Taupō Volcanic Zone, New Zealand.
- Author
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Kissling, Warwick M. and Massiot, Cécile
- Subjects
TRAVEL time (Traffic engineering) ,EARTH temperature ,ROCK deformation ,PROBABILITY density function ,RESERVOIR rocks ,ARTIFICIAL membranes ,RESERVOIRS - Abstract
Background: Numerous fractures are observed in fractured geothermal reservoirs on borehole images in the Taupō Volcanic Zone (TVZ), Aotearoa New Zealand. These fractures are necessary to explain the sustained reservoir permeabilities despite the low matrix porosity. However, conventional continuum models do not adequately represent fluid flow through these fractured rocks. Methods: We present new Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) codes that model fractures and associated fluid flow in 2-D at reservoir scales to represent typical rock types found in TVZ reservoirs. Input parameters are derived from interpretations of borehole images at the Rotokawa and Wairakei geothermal fields where fractures have high dip magnitudes (> 60–70°). This paper focuses on the effect of fracture density along virtual boreholes (P
10 ), that is in average 0.6 m−1 in sheet-like andesites; 0.8 m−1 in ignimbrites and 1.7 m−1 in rhyolite lavas. Results: The number of fractures in the models scale linearly with the input P10 in virtual boreholes. The percolation threshold, where the backbone of fractures is connected across the entire model domain, is reached for P10 > 0.24 m−1 . Above this threshold, mean flow measured along the mean fracture direction scales linearly with P10 . For P10 > 0.4 m−1 the permeability anisotropy lies in the interval 13 ± 3, with the scatter decreasing as P10 increases. The pressure distributions in individual DFN realisations are highly variable, but averages of 50 realisations converge towards those given by equivalent continuum models. Probability density functions resulting from DFN realisations can therefore be used to constrain continuum models. Tracing of fluid particles through the DFN shows that particles can take numerous pathways to define a swath of paths. The travel time of particles over 1 km follows a distribution similar to real tracer tests, with arrivals peaking at 1–2 days and a long tail stretching to over 200 days. Conclusions: The new codes, calibrated to real measurements of fracture geometries in borehole images of the TVZ, reproduce patterns of flows in fractured geothermal systems. Mean flows and permeability anisotropies derived from the DFNs can be used to improve modelling of flows through fractured geothermal reservoirs using continuum models at a limited computational cost. Rocks in New Zealand geothermal systems are highly fractured. Hot water flows through networks of these fractures and is collected in boreholes to generate electricity. It is important for the geothermal industry to understand how hot water flows through fractured rock so that expensive boreholes can be optimally located and energy generation maximized. Rocks in New Zealand geothermal systems are highly fractured. Hot water flows through networks of these fractures and is collected in boreholes to generate electricity. In this paper we use data collected from boreholes in two New Zealand geothermal fields to study how easily hot water flows through the main types of volcanic rocks commonly found in these fields. The observations made in boreholes tell us how many fractures cross the borehole, how big they are, and in what direction they lie. We have developed computer programs that extrapolate these measurements in a realistic way from close to the borehole to the whole geothermal reservoir, and then to calculate the flows through the resulting fracture networks. Because these networks can be so irregular, we calculate thousands of different examples to understand the likely variability of the flows through them. Averages of many fracture models, at least 50, give similar results to traditional models used by the geothermal industry, which don't consider fractures. This tells us that the traditional models are missing a lot of important details. Results from our fracture models can therefore be used in traditional models to improve the way they consider flows in fractured geothermal reservoir. Keypoints: New fracture modeling codes and with input from fracture measurements in geothermal boreholes. Probability density functions of mean flows and flow anisotropy through fractured networks at reservoir scale for rock types found in TVZ geothermal reservoirs. Calibration for continuum models. Quantification of fluid dispersion: implications for tracer test interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2023
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