Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-ttngx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-17T10:49:48.547Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF WAIRAKEI GEOTHERMAL FIELD

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2009

MALCOLM A. GRANT*
Affiliation:
MAGAK, 208D Runciman Rd RD2 Pukekohe 2677, New Zealand (email: mkgrant@farmside.co.nz)
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Mathematical modelling of Wairakei geothermal field is reviewed, both lumped-parameter and distributed-parameter models. In both cases it is found that reliable predictions require five to ten years of history for calibration. With such calibration distributed-parameter models are now used for field management. A prudent model of Wairakei, constructed without such historical data, would underestimate field capacity and provide only general projections of the type of changes in surface activity and subsidence.

MSC classification

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Australian Mathematical Society 2009

References

[1]Blakeley, M. R. and O’Sullivan, M. J., “Simple models of the Wairakei reservoir”, Proc. 3rd NZ Geothermal Workshop, 1981, 131–136.Google Scholar
[2]Blakeley, M. R. and O’Sullivan, M. J., “Modelling of production and recharge at Wairakei” Proc. 4th NZ Geothermal Workshop, 1982, 23–31.Google Scholar
[3]Bolton, R. G., Unpublished report, MWD, 1968.Google Scholar
[4]Burnell, J., Statement of evidence presented at the hearing on a resource consent application by Geotherm Group Limited related to the use and disposal of geothermal fluid from the Wairakei geothermal system, Taupo, May 2004.Google Scholar
[5]Donaldson, I. G., “Regression models of Wairakei”, Unpublished report, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Zealand, 1971.Google Scholar
[6]Donaldson, I. G., “Geothermal reservoir engineering research in New Zealand. A simplistic model and the Wairakei geothermal reservoir”, Proc. 3rd Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford University, 1978, 36–41.Google Scholar
[7]ECNZ, , “Water right application and impact assessment: Wairakei geothermal power station, July 1990”, Electricity Corporation of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand, 1990.Google Scholar
[8]ECNZ, , “Resource consent application for reinjection: Wairakei geothermal field, January 1992”. Electricity Corporation of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand, 1992.Google Scholar
[9]Fradkin, L. Ju., Sorey, M. L. and McNabb, A., “On identification and validation of some geothermal models”, Wat. Resour. Res. 17 (1981) 929936.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[10]Garg, S. K. and Pritchett, J. W., “Two-dimensional simulation of the Wairakei geothermal field”, Trans. Geothermal. Res. Council 3 (1979) 237240.Google Scholar
[11]Grant, M. A., Donaldson, I. G. and Bixley, P. F., Geothermal reservoir engineering (Academic Press, New York, 1982).Google Scholar
[12]Herd, M. A. and McKibbin, R., “Mathematical modelling of subsidence at Wairakei geothermal field”, Proc. 7th NZ Geothermal Workshop, Auckland University, 1985, 139–146.Google Scholar
[13]Kissling, W. M., Brown, K. L., O’Sullivan, M. J., White, S. P. and Bullivant, D. P., “Modelling chloride and CO 2 chemistry in the Wairakei geothermal reservoir”, Geothermics 25 (1996) 285305.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[14]Mannington, W. I., O’Sullivan, M. J. and Bullivant, D. P., “An air–water model of the Wairakei–Tauhara geothermal system”, Proc. 2000 World Geothermal Congress, (2000), 2713–2718.Google Scholar
[15]Marshall, D. C., “Preliminary theory of the Wairakei geothermal field”, New Zealand J. Sci. 9 (1966) 651673.Google Scholar
[16]Marshall, D. C., “Development of a theory of the Wairakei geothermal field by the ‘simplest cases first’ technique”, Geothermics 2 (1970) 669676.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[17]McNabb, A., “A model of the Wairakei geothermal field”, Unpublished report, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Zealand, 1967.Google Scholar
[18]Menzies, A. J. and Lawless, J. V., “Two-dimensional modelling of the Tauhara geothermal field”, Trans. Geothermal Res. Council 24 (2000) 611616.Google Scholar
[19]Mercer, J. W. and Faust, C. R., “Geothermal reservoir simulation 3. Application of liquid and vapor-dominated modelling techniques to Wairakei”, New Zealand Wat. Resour. Res. 15 (1979) 653671.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[20]Newson, J. A. and O’Sullivan, M. J., “Reservoir pressure drawdown and the alum lakes, Wairakei”, Proc. 32nd Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford University, 2007.Google Scholar
[21]O’Sullivan, M. J., Bullivant, D. P., Mannington, W. I. and Follows, S. E., “Modelling of the Wairakei–Tauhara geothermal system”, Proc. 20th NZ Geothermal Workshop, Auckland University, 1998, 59–66.Google Scholar
[22]O’Sullivan, M. J., Mannington, W. I. and Bullivant, D. P., “A three dimensional model of the Wairakei–Tauhara geothermal system. 2000 model development update including scenario for the Wairakei geothermal field”. Report prepared for Contact Energy Limited, Department of Engineering Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (2001) 174pp.Google Scholar
[23]O’Sullivan, M. J., Yeh, A. and Mannington, W. I., “A history of numerical modelling of the Wairakei geothermal field”, Geothermics (2009), at press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[24]Pritchett, J. W., Garg, S. F. and Brownell, D. H., “Numerical simulation of production and subsidence at Wairakei, New Zealand”, Proc. 2nd Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford University, 1976, 310–324.Google Scholar
[25]Pritchett, J. W., Rice, L. F. and Garg, S. K., “Wairakei geothermal reservoir engineering data”, Proc. 4th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford University, 1978, 217.Google Scholar
[26]Pritchett, J. W., Rice, L. F. and Garg, S. K., “Reservoir simulation studies: Wairakei geothermal field, New Zealand”, Final Report GREMP-11, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, 1980.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[27]SKM, , “The Wairakei low pressure steam zone”, Unpublished report for Mercury Geotherm Limited, May 1998, 46pp.Google Scholar
[28]Sorey, M. L. and Fradkin, L. Ju., “Validation and comparison of different models of the Wairakei geothermal reservoir”, Proc. 5th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford University, 1979, 119–204.Google Scholar
[29]Sorey, M. L., “Numerical code comparison project a necessary step towards confidence in geothermal reservoir simulations”, Proc. 6th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford University, 1980, 253–257.Google Scholar
[30]Tokita, H., Takagi, H., Kiyota, Y., Matsuda, K., Hatanaka, H., Shimada, K., Inuyama, H., Young, R., Bayrante, L. and Jordon, O., “Development and verification of a method to forecast hot springs interference due to geothermal power exploitation”, Proc. 2000 World Geothermal Congress, (2000) 725–730.Google Scholar
[31]White, P. J., Lawless, J. V., Terzaghi, S. and Okada, W., “Advances in subsidence modelling of exploited geothermal fields”, Proc. 2005 World Geothermal Congress, (2005) Paper 222, 10pp.Google Scholar
[32]Whiting, R. L. and Ramey, H. J. Jr, “Application of material and energy balances to geothermal steam production”, J. Petroleum Technology 21 (1969) 893900.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[33]Wooding, R. A., “Aquifer models of pressure drawdown in the Wairakei–Tauhara geothermal region”, Wat. Resour. Res. 17 (1981) 8392.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[34]Yeh, A. and O’Sullivan, M. J., “Computer modelling of subsidence in geothermal fields”. Proc. 29th NZ Geothermal Workshop, 2007, 9.Google Scholar
[35]Young, R., Statement of evidence and exhibits, presented at a joint hearing before Environment Waikato and Taupo District Council on consents for Contact Energy to take and inject geothermal fluid at Tauhara, September 1997.Google Scholar
[36]Zais, E. J. and Bodvarsson, G., “Production decline analysis”, Trans. Geo. Res. Council 4 (1980) 381384.Google Scholar
[37]Zarrouk, S. J., O’Sullivan, M. J., Croucher, A. E. and Mannington, W. I., “Optimised numerical modelling of production from the Poihipi dry steam zone: Wairakei geothermal system”, Proc. 31st Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford University, 2006.CrossRefGoogle Scholar