LONG-TERM REINJECTION PROJECT IN THE LAUGALAND LOW-TEMPERATURE AREA IN N-ICELAND

Abstract

A long-term reinjection test is now underway in the Laugaland geothermal system in N-Iceland, the first such project undertaken in an Icelandic low-
temperature area. The Laugaland system is embedded in low-permeability fractured basalts and its productivity is limited by insuficient recharge. More than suficient thermal energy is, however, in-place in the 90 - 100o C hot rocks of the system. The purpose of the reinjection project is to extract some of this thermal energy and to demonstrate that energy production from fractured tow-temperature geothermal systems may be increased by reinjection. The Laugaland reinjection test is a cooperative project involving a few companies and institutions in Iceland, Sweden and Denmark, partly supported by the European Commission. About 8 kg/s are currently injected and the response of the geothermal system to the reinjection is monitored
carefully. The first tracer-test has also been completed. Furthermore, the project involves monitoring of any associated micro-seismic activity.
The Laugaland reinjection project will continue for the next 2 years. Preliminary results indicate that reinjection will henceforth be an important part of the management of the geothermal reservoir.