| Abstract |
We present a numerical model of vapor dominated reservoirs which is based on the well known conceptual model of White, Muffler, and Truesdell. Computer simulations show that upon heat recharge at the base a single phase liquid dominated geothermal reservoir in fractured rock with low matrix permeability will evolve into a two phase reservoir with B.P.D. (boiling point for depth) pressure and temperature profiles. A rather limited discharge event through cracks in the caprock, involving loss of only a few percent of fluids in place, is sufficient to set the system off to evolve a vapor dominated state. The attributes of this state are disused, and some features requiring further clarification are identified. |