| Title | Application of the Tracer Flow Tests (TFT®) Technique in Menengai Geothermal Field, Kenya |
|---|---|
| Authors | Jeremiah K., Ochieng, L.A., Odhiambo S., Broaddus, M., Miyabe, S., Matsuda, K., Hatanaka, H. |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | The first 35 MW (net) power plant is now operational in Kenya’s Menengai geothermal field, with the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) supplying steam and overseeing reservoir management. Key performance indicators such as well mass flow and enthalpy are routinely monitored to ensure consistent steam supply. To support this, the Tracer Flow Test (TFT®) technique, an established non-invasive method used globally in geothermal fields, was employed approximately two months into production to establish baseline reservoir data for future performance assessments. Conducted in collaboration with West JEC and Thermochem under the GDC–JICA partnership, the tests used naphthalene sulfonate and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) as tracers for liquid and vapor phases, respectively. TFT® measurements were compared against initial well discharge test data, commissioning data from the 2020 startup of the steam gathering system (SGS), and live field readings from wells not sharing separators. The results showed strong alignment with historical data in several wells, while deviations observed in others reflected expected changes under multi-well production conditions. Notably, minimal differences were observed between TFT® results and those recorded at production separators, validating the accuracy and reliability of the TFT® method in this context. The study concludes that TFT® is a suitable and effective technique for ongoing monitoring of well mass flow and enthalpy in Menengai and is recommended for future use to support efficient steam field management. |