Possible Effects of Reinjection at Wairakei Geothermal Field
- Key words
- Reservoir Engineering; New Zealand; Wairakei; Two Phase; Injection; Modeling; Repressuring; Thermal Front
- Location
- Wairakei, New Zealand; Taupo Volcanic Zone
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1980
- Session
- Injection; Production decline; Recharge
- Language
- English
Abstract
Although the two phase zone of Wairakei Field is in mass flow equilibrium, there is a net heat flow loss at present. Apart from the heat draw off from the production bore field, the major contributing factor appears to be natural stem flow through thermal areas. Reinjection of all waste water from the bore field would cause an additional heat flow loss of 400-500 MW. In the short term, reinjection will improve the output of the bore field due to repressuing of the two phase zone. However, in the long term substantial represussing will reduce the hot, liquid inflow form depth. This inflow has provide most of the heat extracted form the field to date.
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