Two-Dimensional Numerical Modeling of the Northern Negros Geothermal Field, Philippines

Abstract

The Northern Negros geothermal field is located in Negros Occidental province, Philippines. The field has an exploitable resource area of 6 - 9 km2 with a most probable mean reserve estimate of 42 MWe for 25 years. Production wells, sited just outside the Mt. Canlaon National Park, will initially supply the high-pressure and low-pressure steam of the 49.37 MWe dual-flash turbine power plant. An Energy Support Zone inside the national park was set aside for the additional siting of make-up production wells. The power plant is set to be commissioned in early 2007. A two-dimensional numerical model for the Northern Negros field was constructed to determine the long term sustainability of the present production area and to project the drilling of make-up wells at the Energy Support Zone. Prediction modeling suggests that the five make-up wells may be drilled at the present production area for the first 13 years of field operation. Additional three make-up wells may have to be drilled inside the buffer zone to have a sustainable steam supply for the remainder of the 25-year operating period.