Outcrop analogue study to determine reservoir properties of the Los Humeros and Acoculco geothermal fields, Mexico
Leandra M. Weydt (Technische Universität Darmstadt)
Kristian Bär (Technische Universität Darmstadt)
Chiara Colombero (University of Turin)
Cesare Comina (University of Turin)
Paromita Deb (RWTH Aachen University)
Baptiste Lepillier (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
Giuseppe Mandrone (University of Turin)
Harald Milsch (GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung)
Christopher A. Rochelle (British Geological Survey)
Federico Vagnon (University of Turin)
Ingo Sass (Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt Graduate School of Excellence Energy Science and Engineering)
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Abstract
The Los Humeros geothermal system is steam dominated and currently under exploration with 65 wells (23 producing). Having temperatures above 380 °C, the system is characterized as a super hot geothermal system (SHGS). The development of such systems is still challenging due to the high temperatures and aggressive reservoir fluids which lead to corrosion and scaling problems. The geothermal system in Acoculco (Puebla, Mexico; so far only explored via two exploration wells) is characterized by temperatures of approximately 300 °C at a depth of about 2 km. In both wells no geothermal fluids were found, even though a well-developed fracture network exists. Therefore, it is planned to develop an enhanced geothermal system (EGS).
For better reservoir understanding and prospective modeling, extensive geological, geochemical, geophysical and technical investigations are performed within the scope of the GEMex project. Outcrop analogue studies have been carried out in order to identify the main fracture pattern, geometry and distribution of geological units in the area and to characterize all key units from the basement to the cap rock regarding petro- and thermo-physical rock properties and mineralogy. Ongoing investigations aim to identify geological and structural heterogeneities on different scales to enable a more reliable prediction of reservoir properties. Beside geological investigations, physical properties of the reservoir fluids are determined to improve the understanding of the hydrochemical processes in the reservoir and the fluid-rock interactions, which affect the reservoir rock properties.
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