MSc defence by José Erick Jiménez Majano

José Erick Jiménez Majano from El Salvador, MSc Fellow in Reservoir Engineering at the University of Iceland will defend his MSc project on Monday 16 May, 2022 at 14:00 in room 152 VR-II, University of Iceland.  

The title of the project is:

Direct coupled reservoir-wellbore modeling approach for the Berlín Geothermal Field, El Salvador

Erick's supervisors are:
Andri Arnaldson, Vatnaskil Consulting Engineers
Halldór Pállson, Science , University of Iceland
Jean-Claude Berthet, Vatnaskil Consulting Engineers
Magnús Þór Jónsson, University of Iceland

Examiner:
The external examiner is Gunnar Gunnarsson, Orkuveita Reykjavíkur

Abstract
The Berlin Geothermal Field in El Salvador is used for power generation purposes with an installed capacity of 109.2 MW and delivering by 2021, 14.75% of the total energy generation in the country. In this study a numerical model for the geothermal system was developed based on a current conceptual model using a direct coupled reservoir-wellbore modeling approach implemented with the simulators TOUGH2 and FLOWELL. The purpose is to predict the reservoir response to different production scenarios. It is calibrated against formation conditions and 30 years of production data, including pressure drawdown and flowing enthalpy time series. Parameter estimation was carried out through inverse modeling using iTOUGH2 and a sensitivity analysis showed that the horizontal permeability for the main geothermal reservoir and cap-rock rock produce the most impact on the overall calibration of the system. The wellbore simulator was essential during the forecasting stage as it compensates for the mass flow rate yield from each feedzone due to pressure drawdown in the system, allowing to locate future make-up wells properly over time. The production scenarios estimate it is possible to maintain the current power generation for the next 30 years with the proper drilling program of about one make-up well every 2 years.