Present Status and Future Prospects of Geothermal Development in Italy

Abstract

This paper consists of two parts and an appendix. In the first part a review is made of the geothermal activity in Italy f m 1975 to 1982, including electrical and non-electrical applications. Remarks then follow on the trends that occurred and the operational criteria that were applied in the saw period, which can be considered a transitional period of geothermal development in Italy. Information on recent trends and development objectives up to 1990 are given in the second part of the paper, together with a summary on program activities in the various geothermal areas of Italy. The appendix specifically reviews the main reservoir engineering activities carried out in the past years and the problems likely to be faced in the coming years in developing Italian fields. In particular, production and injection wells testing in high and low enthalpy liquid-dominated reservoirs are illustrated, as well as: reinjection tests carried out in the Larderello field with the aim of enhancing heat part of the reservoir; - flow-rate transient tests in the Larderello and Travale fields.