Geothermal Reservoir Simulation: The State-of-practice and Emerging Trends

Abstract

Computer modeling of geothermal systems is now a mature technology with application to more than 100 fields worldwide. Large complex three-dimensional models having computational meshes with more than 4000 blocks are now used routinely. Researchers continue to carry out fundamental research on modeling techniques and physical processes in geothermal systems. The new advances are adopted quickly by the geothermal industry and have also found application in related areas such as nuclear waste storage, environmental remediation and studies of the vadose (unsaturated) zone. The current state-of-practice, recent advances and emerging trends in geothermal reservoir simulation are reviewed.