Multidisciplinary Data Substantiate Vapliq Model of the Los Azufres Geothermal System

Abstract

We revise and expand our previous vapliq model of the Los Azufres hydrothermal system. We present data that delin- the vertical distributions of the formation's thermal conductivity and density. Both distributions dis- close a sharp change of formation prop- erties at the boundary between the liquid-dominated layer and the steam cap. This supports the inference of our previous work that a substantial per- meability contrast must exist between liquid- and vapor-dominated layers the system. we present the observed vertical distribution of liquid satura- in the system as inferred from the chemical composition of reservoir flu- and well logs; we use it, in addi- tion to the pressure profile, to calib- the model's thermophysical parame- ters. Calibration against both observed profiles greatly improves the reliability of the model.