Geothermal reinjection experience

Abstract

Reinjection into geothermal reservoirs is discussed and the experience gained by reinjection experiments in 44 geothermal fields is reviewed. Reinjection started purely as a disposal method, but has more recently been recognised as an essential and important part of reservoir management. Only a small part of the thermal energy in place in geothermal reservoirs can be recovered if reinjection is not applied. Thermal breakthrough has been observed in few geothermal reservoirs but has in all cases been found to be a manageable part of field operation. Silica scaling in surface equipment and injection wells is a delicate aspect of the reinjection process in most high-temperature geothermal fields, but silica scaling in the reservoir has not been considered a problem. Reinjection of low-enthalpy geothermal fluid into sandstone has not been successful, for reasons that are poorly understood. The location of injection wells in relation to production wells influences the ratio of injected fluid recovered in production wells. For peripheral injection, about one third of the injected fluid is commonly recovered, whereas injection within the production area results in a higher ratio of recovered fluid. Subsidence is in general of small concern in geothermal operations and micro-gravity has proved a valuable tool to estimate the recharge to geothermal reservoirs.