Don A. Campbell Geothermal Project NC Development of Low-Temperature Resource

Abstract

In December 2013, Ormat Technologies Inc. placed in operation the 16 MW Don A. Campbell geothermal plant in Mineral County, Nevada, USA. The project utilizes a relatively low-temperature resource, with production temperatures of approximately 264‹F (129‹C). Exploration took place over a 5-year period, and included geologic mapping, geophysical surveys, geochemical analysis of fluids, shallow temperature mapping, core]hole drilling, and several deep, full]diameter wells. Resource assessment included a one-month test of production and injection wells prior to plant construction, and numerical modeling to project long-term performance. The production wells tap the reservoir at relatively shallow depths, and several wells have extra-large-diameter casings to take advantage of the high flow capacities resulting from the high formation permeability. Plant construction and commissioning was quite rapid, requiring just nine months from start of mechanical construction to operation at full output.