Jökull


Jökull - 01.12.1987, Page 29

Jökull - 01.12.1987, Page 29
Fig. 18. The conceptual model of the Leirbotnar and Suðurhlíðar geothermal fields. — Hugmyndalíkan af jarðhitasvœðinu við Kröflu. (Fig. 18), 2) quantify the natural mass and the heat flow in the reservoir, 3) verify the transmissivity values ob- tained from the analysis of injection test data 4) estimate the generating capacity of the field, and 5) predict on a well-by-well basis the future field performance for al- ternative field development plans including the rein- jection of waste fluid. The Krafla modeling has been described extensively by Bödvarsson, et al. (1984a, b, c) and Pruess, et al. (1984). Their results are summarized below. The natural state model developed reproduced well the observed pressure and temperature data for the field. The model consisted of a vertical cross section which included both Leirbotnar and Suðurhlíðar (Fig. 18). The simulation model is in agreement with the assumption that the reservoir system is controlled by two upflow zones, one at Hveragil and the other close to the eastern border of Suðurhlíðar. The lower reservoir in Leirbotnar and the Suðurhlíðar one are two phase with average vapour saturation of 10-20 % (volumetric) in the fracture sys- tem. The porosity of the reservoir rock was assumed to be 5%. The permeability of the reservoir is 1-4 millidar- cy with an average of 2.0 md. The permeability seems to be controlled by vertical fractures as better match was obtained by allowing for higher vertical than horizontal permeability. The permeability of the upflow channels at Hveragil and Suðurhlíðar is estimated as 30 md. Fluids from the upflow channel in Suðurhlíðar recharge the reservoir at an estimated rate of 10 kg/s. The two phase fluid mixture flows laterally along a highly perme- able fracture zone at a depth of 1 km and mixes with the upflow at Hveragil. The natural fluid flows are assumed highest at Hveragil where 8 kg/s of steam are discharged to the surface fumaroles. The remainder of the ascend- ing fluid (13 kg/s) recharges the upper Leirbotnar reser- voir. Several models were developed to estimate the gener- ating capacity of the reservoir and to predict its future behaviour. In the most simple case a lumped parameter model was used, but distributed parameter models and a quasi three-dimensional model were also applied in or- der to get more reliable estimates. All were based on the natural state model. The results obtained indicated that the generating capacities of Leirbotnar and Suðurhlíðar are 30 and 20 MWe for 30 years, respectively. Future exploitation will give rise to extended vapor zones in the reservoir. Fluid enthalpy of production wells will rise with time and reach dry steam conditions as the reser- voir is depleted. The calculated flow rate decline for individual wells is generally low or of the order of 1-4% per year. Reinjection is predicted to change the future behaviour of the wells. In the short term (few years) the effect will be small, but when extended single phase steam zones have formed (after 10 years) reinjection will improve deliverabilities. Furthermore, it is possible that reinjection could create single-phase liquid condition in parts of the fracture system. This would increase the fluid pressure considerably and increase the mass flow rate of the production wells. The quasi three-dimensional model used to predict the future behaviour of the Krafla reservoir was cali- brated by matching the flow histories (mass flow and enthalpy) of wells that had been discharged for 1-6 years. This relatively short period influences the reliabil- ity of the predictions of the model. So far all observa- tions seem to be in agreement with the model, and for instance pressure build-up tests in wells in Leirbotnar and Suðurhlíðar in the summer of 1984 showed pressure drawdown in the reservoir close to predicted values (Sigurðsson, et al. 1985). CONCLUSIONS The Krafla geothermal area covers about 15 km2, but only 3-4 km2 divided between three well fields have been exploited so far. The production characteristics of the three well fields differ widely. The transmissivity is generally of the order 1-4 Dm. The enthalpy of the well discharges is high in most parts of the fields thus render- ing their exploitation efficient. The utilization of parts of the area (northern Leirbotnar and the western flanks of Mt. Krafla) has been greatly hampered by the intrusion of magmatic gases into the geothermal system causing blocking of wells by deposits and damages by corrosion. There are signs now (1986) that such effects are dimin- 27
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