| Title | Recent Exploration and Development of the Olkaria Geothermal Field |
|---|---|
| Authors | Barnett, P.R., Ryder, A.J.D., Barnett, B.G., Mina, Z.W., Haukwa, C.B. |
| Year | 1987 |
| Conference | New Zealand Geothermal Workshop |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | Exploration of the Olkaria geothermal field in Kenya was commenced 1956 with the drilling of two hot but unproductive shallow investigation wells and X-2, Fig.2). Between 1971 and 1972 a surface exploration program was funded by the Kenya Government and United Nations. This resulted the drilling of a number of further exploration wells during the period 1972 to 1976. The first of these (OW-1) was unsuccessful, however, the second (OW-2) encountered in an area now known as the Olkaria East Wellfield, OEW, a vapour zone at about 240 C. underlain by a dilute NaCl reservoir which deeper temperatures closely followed boiling point for depth conditions. Four exploration wells were subsequently drilled as from OW-2 with very similar conditions encountered. Following a feasibility study carried out in 1976, production drilling was commenced which progressed through to the staged commissioning between 1981 and 1985 of a 3 X 15 turbine power station the Olkaria East area. A detailed account of this initial phase of exploration and development is given Svanbjornsson et al. (1983). |