Resource Assessment at the Berlin Geothermal Field (El Salvador)

Abstract

The drilling in the Berlin area of six deep, production diameter exploratory wells led to the discovery of a commercially exploitable geothermal field, with temperatures up to 300oC at a depth of 1800 to 2500 m. Conservative estimates of the reservoir potential based on the results of simple mathematical models and on consideration about the reservoir abandonment pressure indicate a minimum proven potential of 55 MW. However a probabilistic evaluation of the total field potential suggests that values as high as 150 MW can be considered as probable. Taking into account the results of the reservoir assessment the installation of 2x25 MW single flash condensing units gas been decided. Moreover a program of accelerated exploration is foreseen aiming to rapid development of any additional capacity in excess of the presently proven one.