| Title | Numerical Model of the Travale Geothermal Field (Italy) in the Framework of the I-GET European Project |
|---|---|
| Authors | Cei, M.; Barelli, A.; Casini, M.; Romagnoli, P.; Bertani, R.; Fiordelisi, A. |
| Year | 2009 |
| Conference | Geothermal Resources Council Transactions |
| Keywords | Numerical Modeling; TOUGH2; Travale; I-GET |
| Abstract | In the framework of the I-GET European Project, the natural state and the production history of the Travale geothermal field have been simulated by means of the 3D numerical simulator TOUGH2. This work was mainly aimed at investigating: - the interactions between the geothermal field and the surrounding deep aquifers including their long distance pressure draw-down; - the field sustainability. The simulated area is about 200km2 and is placed in southern Tuscany. The structural geological and geophysical analyses have been used as input data for this “regional scale” modeling. To fulfill the work aims no constant pressure boundaries (i.e. mass sources) were introduced. The thickness of the domain is 7000m, according to the location of a seismic reflection horizon which is believed to represent reservoir bottom. The reservoir top is made of impermeable rocks, which acts as cover of the geothermal system. Natural state modeling has been based on the comparison between simulated and observed temperature and pressure data. The observed ones have been obtained by thermal and pressure profiles of Travale wells. During processing steps, rocks geophysical parameters (porosity and permeability) could be changed to optimize the simulated results. The history of the industrial exploitation was then introduced and the relevant pressure distribution was compared with the actually recorded data. Satisfactory results were achieved, and field production resulted sustainable for at least the next 50 years. |