Commercial Production Wells Acid 15 Successful Years of Activity, Miravalles Geothermal Field, Costa Rica

Abstract

The main reservoir fluids Miravalles Geothermal Field are neutral Na-Cl. In the east-northeast of the field were drilled four wells, which produce fluid Na-Cl and pH between 2.3 to 3.2. Due to capacity presented by these wells, studies were conducted to develop a system that would allow neutralization of these commercial integration. The results demonstrated the feasibility of the neutralization system and three of these wells have been incorporated into commercial production, being one of them as a reserve. As a secondary effect of the neutralization process, the formation of deposits of complex amorphous silica and anhydrite is generated. Initially, it was required in six-month periods perform mechanical cleaning process in each well. A study to optimize the pH, allowed to determine the appropriate pH at which deposit formation is minimized and the minimum degree of corrosion is obtained. From this study wells have remained in continuous production. This year marks 15 years of commercial integration of wells in Miravalles acids, which has generated savings of 21.7 million dollars in annual thermal generation. At the same time contribute to the environment, representing 18.1 MW have been stopped to extract the neutral site of Miravalles, contributing to the sustainability of the resource.