The Exploitation and Management of Geothermal Resources in Xi`an

Abstract

XI`AN is a famous cultural city with a long recorded history, and it has rich geothermal resources. The exploited resource quantity is estimated to be of the order of 5.31 x 108 M3. The resource is mainly used for earthquake observation, space warming, bathing, physiotherapy, flower growing, fish farming, agriculture cultivation, and peace and happiness tours. DongDa Cultivation Center has the largest geothermal cultivating fields in the world. In order to make the limited resources produce the greatest profit, it is necessary for it to be reasonably exploited and managed scientifically. The management methods adopted at XI`AN are:- Making laws - these laws set out the management rules by which the resource will be used Resource Plan - based on sound scientific knowledge of the resource which enables wells to be located scientifically. Management - integrated planning, examination and use approval process Organizing of specialist groups. -These include; geothermal specialist group who give advice on best location and production depth of the wells; supervisors group who organize the construction of the wells; and a dynamic monitoring group who monitor well production characteristics and resource water levels. These management methods enable the resource to be exploited in a legal, scientific, sustainable and efficient manner At present, technical problems relating to the recharge of the resource by cool surface water which are causing geothermal cooling are being studied.