Estimating Maximum Discharge of Geothermal Wells
- Location
- Wairakei, New Zealand; Taupo Volcanic Zone
- Conference
- Stanford Geothermal Workshop
- Year
- 1980
- Session
- Production Engineering
- Language
- English
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Abstract
We cannot tell how 'good' a well is unless we can estimate the maximum flow possible under such ideal conditions as complete permeability at the production horizon and boiling point throughout the depth of the reservoir. Calculated Lip pressures for vertical wide-open discharge under these conditions are surprisingly independent of the kind of fluid tapped by the well, whether dry saturated steam or saturated hot water.
The status of an actual well can be established by comparing the measured Lip pressure with the calculated theoretical maximum.
Discharges are simply determined from the values of Lip pressure and supply fluid enthalpy.
Copyright 1980, Stanford Geothermal Program. Readers who download papers from this site should honour the copyright of the original authors, and may not copy or distribute the work further without the permission of the original publisher.