Flow Paths in the Húsmúli Reinjection Zone, Iceland

Abstract: Reinjection of spent geothermal fluids has become common practise in geothermal power plants. Reinjection can, despite being mostly beneficial, have unwanted effects such as cooling of nearby production wells and injection-induced earthquakes. Tracer tests, along with their modeling and interpretation, are important tools for monitoring the flow paths of the injected water and to predict reservoir cooling. Knowledge of flow paths in the system allows for better resource management and a more sustainable utilization. A simulation model of the Húsmúli reinjection zone in the Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant in SW-Iceland was developed using the TOUGH2 program. Its hydrological parameters, porosity and permeability, were calibrated using results from an extensive tracer test carried out in the area in 2013-2015. The aim of the simulations was to obtain better understanding of the flow paths in Húsmúli since, despite fast tracer recovery in production wells in the area, hardly any cooling has been observed in those production wells. The results show that the tracer recovery can be modelled by means of permeable flow channels within the medium. Good results for tracer arrival and concentration peaks were obtained both by assuming a single wide channel and several narrower ones. The parameters that gave the best fit for the single channel model were permeability of 5·10-12 m2 and porosity ranging from 0.2%–3%. For the multi-channel model they were 1·10-12 m2 and 0.2%–3.5%, respectively. The high permeability and low porosity in the channels make for an abstract representation of fractured zones within the medium. Greater cooling was seen with the single-channel modelling approach than with the multiple narrower channel approach, the latter showing hardly any cooling in the production elements during the simulation time. This indicates that the flow paths are more likely multiple channels consisting of fracture networks. The simulations show that the flow paths are lengthened by sinking of the fluid to greater depth because of the higher density of the colder injected water. This implies that the injected fluid is warmed up by contact with a larger volume of rock, causing a limited and delayed cooling effect.