| Abstract |
Understanding fluid movement in geothermal systems is crucial for optimizing resource extraction, managing reservoirs sustainably, predicting geohazards, and reducing the risk of drilling non-productive wells. In epithermal ore deposits - formed in settings analogous to modern geothermal systems - multi-element geochemical techniques are often employed to map hydrothermal alteration zonation as a proxy for fluid conditions. However, these techniques are rarely applied in geothermal studies. This study aims to bridge this gap by adapting multi-element geochemical techniques, commonly used in mining, to a geothermal field in New Zealand. 43 new samples were collected to complement existing data, resulting in over 200 samples from various studies. The results were visualised and modelled in 3D alongside existing data, integrating insights from the geothermal field’s 3D geological model. This allowed a more robust, geochemically informed delineation of trace element assemblages produced in high temperature, high fluid-flux conditions, leading to an enhanced understanding of fluid movement within the reservoir. This study demonstrates the potential to repurpose geochemical techniques from the mining sector for geothermal applications. This approach may contribute to improved exploration strategies, well targeting and reservoir management by enhancing our understanding of fluid movement within the geothermal reservoir. |