High-Resolution Imaging of Geothermal Flow Paths Using a Cost Effective Dense Seismic Network
High-resolution imaging of geothermal subsurface flow paths using a dense network of seismic stations.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Recipient
Berkeley, CA
Recipient Location
9th
Senate District
14th
Assembly District
$1,672,639
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
Over 17,000 earthquakes were detected and analyzed, yielding high-resolution images of the heterogeneous structure of the reservoir. The images delineated regions with high concentrations of steam and water. Most of the results of the 3D seismic imaging were corroborated by the information contained in Calpine's 3D reservoir model, thereby demonstrating the successful application of the technology in an operational geothermal reservoir. The 91-station network remains in place and continues to collect data.
The Issue
In operating geothermal fields, there is a need for imaging the movement of water and steam in three-dimensional space and over time. Tracer tests provide ground truth information about inter-well connectively, but they do not directly reveal the flow paths in the regions between the wells. Microseismicity mapped in three-dimensions can provide valuable information about fluid movement, but it is possible for water and steam to move through the fractured rock mass without triggering microseismicity, as well as for microseismicity to be triggered without fluids.
Project Innovation
This project advanced the technology for imaging subsurface flow paths, barriers, and heterogeneity in operating geothermal reservoirs through an integrated approach that combines the recent development of low-cost, dense seismic networks together with established state-of-the-art micro-earthquake imaging algorithms and rock physics concepts. The technical advancement of this project is the integration of these components into a system that can be cost-effectively, reliably and routinely deployed in operating geothermal fields to image the movement of fluids in space and time with high-resolution and fast-turnaround time from data collection, to processing, to imaging, to rock physics interpretations.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
This project provided tools to help geothermal operations to be more productive. It demonstrated the advantages of a micro-earthquake imaging system that uses a dense network of seismic stations and automated processing to perform fast-turnaround, high-resolution imaging of fluid movement in producing geothermal reservoirs.
Affordability
A better understanding of the subsurface flow paths will allow optimization of production activities and improve well targeting to drill more productive wells.
Key Project Members
Kurt Nihei
Subrecipients
EMR Solutions & Technology LLC
Jarpe Data Solutions
Ramsey Haught, Geophysicist
Match Partners
Jarpe Data Solutions
