Conference article

Numerical Simulation of Northwest Sabalan Geothermal Reservoir; Iran

Younes Noorallahi
Dep. of Environmental and Energy, Sciences and Research Branch, IAU, Pounak, Tehran, Iran

Ryuichi Itoi
Dep. Of Earth Resources Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

Download articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.3384/ecp110571257

Published in: World Renewable Energy Congress - Sweden; 8-13 May; 2011; Linköping; Sweden

Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 57:4, p. 1257-1264

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Published: 2011-11-03

ISBN: 978-91-7393-070-3

ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)

Abstract

A three dimensional numerical model of the northwest Sabalan geothermal system was developed on the basis of a conceptual model drawn from the analysis of the available field data. A numerical model of the reservoir was expressed with a grid system of a rectangular prism of 12km × 8km with 4.6km height; giving a total area of 96km2. The model has 14 horizontal layers ranging in thickness between 100m to 1000m extending from a maximum of 3600 to -1000m a.s.l. Fifteen rock types were used in the model to assign different horizontal permeabilities from 5.0×10-18 to 4.0 ×10-13 m2 based on the conceptual model. Natural state modeling of the reservoir was performed; and the results indicated good agreements with measured temperature and pressure in wells. Numerical simulations were conducted for predicting reservoir performances by allocating production and reinjection wells at specified locations. Two different exploitation scenarios were examined for sustainability of reservoir for the next thirty years. Effects of reinjection location and required number of makeup wells to maintain the specified fluid production were evaluated. The results showed that reinjecting at Site B is most effective for pressure maintenance of the system.

Keywords

Geothermal; Reservoir; Simulation; Capacity; Sabalan; Iran

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