Hydro-Mechanical Modeling of Magma Injections in NE Sector of Mutnovsky Volcano (Kamchatka)

Abstract

Mutnovsky geothermal field is a largest electricity producer in Kamchatka (62 MWe installed in 2002), while power production was not extended since that time, focusing on existing Dachny production reservoir re-drilling activity. NE Mutnovsky volcano sector, where significant magma fracking activity was revealed based on MEQ data, is adjacent to Dachny. Thus we performed CFRAC hydromechanical modeling to better understand fracking properties of potential production geothermal reservoir above mentioned. Hydromechanical modeling aiming to: (1) Estimate relationship between MEQ’s magnitudes and magma/gas injection volumes; (2) Estimate fracture width distributions along magma/gas creating fracs. Those fracking properties are crucial to be used for subsequent heat transfer modeling of potential production geothermal reservoir in NE Mutnovsky volcano sector. Magma-hydrothermal system developed multiple geothermal resources, coupled with conventional and supercritical geothermal reservoirs. MEQs and resistivity by MT measurement can indicate potential of deep-seated supercritical (or superhot) geothermal reservoir.