Abstract
Subsurface fluid flow of reservoirs in active tectonic regions is mainly controlled by permeability of fault zones. Therefore, the characterization of fault zones is an important step toward performance assessment of a reservoir. The fluid flow is controlled also by pressure and temperature conditions. In this context, we simulated pressure and temperature fields to elaborate on the influence of permeability on subsurface fluid flow in the Lahendong geothermal reservoir. Thermal–hydraulic simulation is performed using a finite element approach. Adjusting the permeability through 370 different cases, modeling results converged to the observed data within a misfit range of 0–7 %. The best fitting models identified a deep-seated fault that has previously not been traced at the surface. Simulated temperature distribution suggests a prominent convective heat flow, driven by an upward migrating and SW–NE oriented fluid flow. This hydraulic gradient causes a pressure drop along the reservoir. High-pressure patterns are used to constrain recharge areas, in addition to infiltration measurements. Discharge flow occurs from SW to NE migrating also upward toward the hot springs. In that frame, thermal–hydraulic simulations identified previously unresolved subsurface faults, which now allow a better understanding of the subsurface permeability and its influence on fluid flow.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the continuous support within the team of the International Center for Geothermal Research under the direction of E. Huenges. Thanks to H. Milsch, B. Peters, and D. Otten for helping at the Gas-Permeameter. We thank A. Förster for giving access and introduction to the optical scanner for thermal conductivity measurements and S. Fuchs for assisting while interpretation of data. A special gratitude to F. Bulut, who carefully reviewed the manuscript, took care of linguistic issues, and supported the analysis with helpful discussions. Prof. M. Hochstein is greatly acknowledged for continuous fruitful discussions during the study. The support of the team of Pertamina Geothermal Energy in Jakarta as well as in Lahendong including the access to data, and the field is highly appreciated. The authors thank PGE for the permission to publish this paper. The German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) is funding this German project “Sustainability concepts for exploitation of geothermal reservoirs in Indonesia—capacity building and methodologies for site deployment” under Grant 03G0753A.
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Brehme, M., Blöcher, G., Cacace, M. et al. Permeability distribution in the Lahendong geothermal field: A blind fault captured by thermal–hydraulic simulation. Environ Earth Sci 75, 1088 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-5878-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-5878-9