Habanero Circulation Test

Abstract

Geodynamics carried out open loop (venting to atmosphere) flow testing between its two geothermal wells Habanero 1 and 3 in March and April 2008. The wells are located in basement granites beneath the Cooper Basin in NE South Australia and are 550 m apart. The temperature in the reservoir which is mostly contained in what is known as the main fracture zone is 245-250°C. The testing was designed (i) to demonstrate communication between the wells along the fracture zone which was stimulated from Habanero 1 in 2003 and 2005 and (ii) to determine the impedance or friction loss associated with circulation between these wells. The impedance would govern the pumping requirement for closed loop operation which in turn dictated the operability of the pump that had been purchased for this phase. If the impedance was too high the pump would not be suitable and a number of remediations would need to be effected.