| Title | Case Study: Numerical Model of San Vicente Geothermal System, El Salvador, Central America |
|---|---|
| Authors | Héctor Ribera |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | In geothermal developments numerical models are essential to ensure that ongoing and future investments are wisely spent. A case study for high-temperature liquid-dominant reservoirs in volcanic settings is presented for the newly exploited San Vicente Geothermal Field in El Salvador, Central America. The current model was developed in parallel with the start of electricity generation with a 5 MW backpressure turbine in August 2023. Firstly, the natural state of the geothermal system was replicated with the TOUGH2 simulator with a finer mesh than its predecessor, based on the conceptual model of the field, geoscientific updates and stable static measurements in existing wells. Nevertheless, it was systematically reviewed during the history match of the first 15 months of production, utilizing iTOUGH2 inverse capabilities, and both stages will keep being re-evaluated annually. By the end of 2024, five forecasts of different operation regimes in upcoming years were simulated with an additional 100-year field recovery prognosis. For the model settings, a specific location for a secondary outflow of the reservoir was proposed, as a probable cause of the sharp thermal differences in the northeast region. The numerical modelling results support that geothermal fluid circulation depends mainly on the field faults and indicate that limited natural recharge from the surroundings is to be expected, in accordance with the latest lumped parameter model. The future stepwise expansion will provide more data to further refine the understanding of the system’s characteristics with new simulations to ultimately guide towards an optimal exploitation of the geothermal resource. |