Fluid Inclusion Studies, Case Study Olkaria Geothermal Field Kenya

Abstract

FLUID INCLUSION STUDIES OF CASE STUDY OF THE OLKARIA GEOTHERMAL FIELD,KENYA Fluid inclusions are portions of fluids which were trapped in the solid crystals as it grew, or crystallised. Fluids are therefore the samples of the original fluid from which the crystal grew or the latter fluid which bathed the crystal during crystallisation Fluid inclusions can be thought of as the time capsules storing the information about the ancient temperatures, pressures, and fluid composition (Goldstein’s and Reynolds 1994) The study of fluids inclusions is the only direct evidence of the paleo fluids that have circulated at different times through the reservoir rocks providing valuable information about the temperature of mineral formation, pressure of mineral precipitation, composition of the origin of the fluids and mineral precipitation e.g. salinity and later temperature, pressure and fluid composition In Olkaria geothermal field there has not been studies carried out on fluid inclusions, and the highly exploited areas (up flow zones) are slowly diminishing or shrinking, direct studies of the temperatures and pressures using inclusions will help us determine whether the field is cooling or heating up.