Solute geothermometry of springs and wells of the Los Azufres and Las Tres Vírgenes geothermal fields,Mexico

Subsurface reservoir temperatures of two important Mexican geothermal systems (Los Azufres and Las Tres Vírgenes) were estimated by applying all available solute geothermometers for 88 and 56 chemical data measurements of the spring waters and fluids of the deep geothermal wells, respectively. Most of the chemical data for spring water of these two geothermal fields are for HCO₃ water, followed by SO₄ and Cl types. For the Los Azufres geothermal field (LAGF), the reservoir temperatures estimated by Na-K geothermometers for springs of HCO₃ and SO₄ waters, and by Na-Li and Li-Mg geothermometers for Cl water, are close to the average bottom-hole temperature (BHT) of the geothermal wells. However, all reservoir temperatures for spring waters from the Las Tres Vírgenes geothermal field (LTVGF) estimated by all solute geothermometers indicated significantly large differences (low temperatures) compared to the BHT. Evaluation of inferred reservoir temperatures for spring waters of the LAGF and LTVGF suggests that not all springs nor all solute geothermometers provide reliable estimation of the reservoir temperatures. Even though chemical equilibrium probably was not achieved in the water–rock system, Na-K geothermometers for HCO₃ water (peripheral water mainly of meteoric origin with little geothermal component) and SO₄ water (geothermal steam heated) and Na-Li and Li-Mg geothermometers for Cl-rich spring water (fully mature geothermal water) of the LAGF indicated reservoir temperatures close to the BHT. However, in comparison with the geothermometry of spring water of the LAGF and LTVGF, fluid measurements from geothermal wells of these two fields indicated reservoir temperatures in close agreement with their respective BHTs. For the best use of the solute geothermometry for spring water, it is advisable to: (1) chemically classify the springs based on water types; (2) identify and eliminate the discordant outlier observations by considering each water type as a separate sampled population; (3) apply all available solute geothermometers employing a suitable computer program such as SolGeo instead of using some specific, arbitrarily chosen geothermometers; and (4) evaluate the temperatures obtained for each solute geothermometer by considering the subsurface lithology, hydrological conditions, and BHTs or static formation temperatures whenever available.     

Solute and gas geothermometry of geothermal wells: a geochemometrics study for evaluating the effectiveness of geothermometers to predict deep reservoir temperatures

Deep reservoir temperatures of 10 important geothermal systems of the world were estimated by applying 13 solute (Na/K) and 21 gas geothermometers. The predicted temperatures were comprehensively evaluated and compared with measured bottom-hole temperatures using geochemometric techniques. The present study reveals (1) high prediction performances in most of the Na/K geothermometers for the majority of the geothermal fields with liquid-dominated reservoirs, whereas low prediction performances were indicated for the geothermal fields with vapour-dominated and high-temperature reservoirs; (2) the gas geothermometers, in comparison to Na/K, are more successful in predicting the subsurface temperatures in high-temperature geothermal systems; (3) the geothermal systems for which Na/K geothermometers have indicated a high prediction performance, the gas geothermometers have specified a low prediction performances, and vice versa; (4) both Na/K and gas geothermometers, generally, overestimated the reservoir temperatures for the majority of the low-enthalpy geothermal fields and underestimated for the majority of the high-enthalpy geothermal fields; (5) the reservoir temperature predictions of gas geothermometers have more scatter than those temperatures inferred from Na/K geothermometers; and (6) in general, Na/K geothermometers seem to be a more successful geochemical tool in predicting reliable reservoir temperatures than gas geothermometers.     

Evaluation of the solute geothermometry of thermal springs and drilled wells of La Primavera (Cerritos Colorados) geothermal field,Mexico: A geochemometrics approach

A detailed study on the solute geothermometry of thermal water (18 springs and 8 drilled wells) of La Primavera geothermal field (LPGF) in Mexico has been carried out by employing a geochemical database compiled from the literature and by applying all the available solute geothermometers. The performance of these geothermometers in predicting the reservoir temperatures has been evaluated by applying a geochemometrics (geochemical and statistical) method. The springs of the LPGF are of bicarbonate type and the majority have attained partial-equilibrium chemical conditions and the remaining have shown non-equilibrium conditions. In the case of geothermal wells, water is dominantly of chloride-type and, among the studied eight geothermal wells, four have shown full-equilibrium chemical conditions and another four have indicated partial-equilibrium conditions. All springs of HCO₃^−​ type water have provided unreliable reservoir temperatures, whereas the only one available spring of SO₄²⁻ type water has provided the reservoir temperature nearer to the average BHT of the wells. Contrary to the general expected behavior, spring water of non-equilibrium and geothermal well water of partial-equilibrium chemical conditions have indicated more reliable reservoir temperatures than those of partially-equilibrated and fully-equilibrated water, respectively. Among the chemical concentration data, Li and SiO₂ of two springs, SO₄²⁻ and Mg of four springs, and HCO₃ and Na concentrations of two geothermal wells were identified as outliers and this has been reflected in very low reservoir temperatures predicted by the geothermometers associated with them (Li–Mg, Na–Li, Na–K–Mg, SiO₂ etc.). Identification of the outlier data points may be useful in differentiating the chemical characteristics, lithology and the physico-chemical and geological processes at the sample locations of the study area.In general, the solute geothermometry of the spring waters of LPGF indicated a dominantly (94%) of underestimated deep reservoir temperatures, whereas in the case of the geothermal wells, many temperatures (54%) are underestimated, some are (43%) overestimated and a very small number (3%) are similar to an average bottom-hole temperatures (BHT) of the wells. 28 out of the total applied 29 geothermometers for spring waters have predicted the deep reservoir temperatures that are characterized by statistically significant large differences compared to the average BHTs of the geothermal wells. In the case of waters of the geothermal wells, 23 out of the total applied 28 geothermometers have predicted the reservoir temperatures similar (statistically no significant differences) to the BHTs of the corresponding geothermal wells.     

New gas geothermometers for geothermal exploration—calibration and application

Calibration of five gas geothermometers is presented, three of which used CO₂, H₂S and H₂ concentrations in fumarole steam, respectively. The remaining two use $\text{CO}{}_2\text{H}{}_2$ and $\text{H}{}_2\text{S}\text{H}{}_2$ ratios. The calibration is based on the relation between gas content of drillhole discharges and measured aquifer temperatures. After establishing the gas content in the aquifer, gas concentrations were calculated in steam formed by adiabatic boiling of this water to atmospheric pressure to obtain the gas geothermometry functions. It is shown that the concentrations of CO₂, H₂S and H₂ in geothermal reservoir waters are fixed through equilibria with mineral buffers. At temperatures above 230°C epidote + prehnite + calcite + quartz are considered to buffer CO₂. Two buffers are involved for H₂S and H₂ and two functions are, therefore, presented for the geothermometers involving these gases. For waters containing less than about 500 ppm chloride and in the range 230–300°C pyrite + pyrrholite + epidote + prehnite seem to be involved, but pyrite + epidote + prehnite + magnetite or chlorite for waters above 300°C and waters in the range 230–300°C, if containing over about 500 ppm.The gas geothermometers are useful for predicting subsurface temperatures in high-temperature geothermal systems. They are applicable to systems in basaltic to acidic rocks and in sediments with similar composition, but should be used with reservation for systems located in rocks which differ much in composition from the basaltic to acidic ones. The geothermometry results may be used to obtain information on steam condensation in upflow zones, or phase separation at elevated pressures.Measured aquifer temperatures in drillholes and gas geothermometry temperatures, based on data from nearby fumaroles, compare well in the five fields in Iceland considered specifically for the present study as well as in several fields in other countries for which data were inspected. The results of the gas geothermometers also compare well with the results of solute geothermometers and mixing models in three undrilled Icelandic fields.     

应用地热温标估算地下热储温度

利用6省区49个热水样品的测试数据,分4类方法估算热储温度,以天津地区为例,讨论区域地质背景下热储温度的估算,并对怀疑发生混合作用的水样点建立混合模型。结果表明,不同地热温标的应用条件各不相同,应用到实际水样后得到的温标估算结果差异很大,需要利用Na-K-Ca三角图和lg （Q/K）图判断矿物-流体的平衡状态,还要综合考虑蒸汽散失、混合等对温度的影响。天津地区8个地热井估算的热储温度在83～120 ℃之间;广州三元里井热水混合前的深部热储温度为79.3 ℃,混入的冷水比例为83%。     

Improved Preproduction Conceptual-Numerical Model of the Roosevelt Geothermal Field using Geological,Geochemical and Structural Information

The Roosevelt Hot Springs Known Geothermal Resource Area (KGRA) is a Basin and Range-type geothermal resource, which is located in southwestern Utah. The integrated multicomponent geothermometry (IMG) approach is used to estimate the reservoir temperature at the Roosevelt Hot Springs KGRA. Geothermometric modeling results indicate the deep reservoir temperature is approximately 284.6°C. A conceptual model of the Roosevelt Hot Spring KGRA is provided through integrating the various pieces of exploration information, including the geological data, geothermometric results, temperature well log and field evidence. A two-dimensional cross-sectional model was thus built to quantitatively investigate the coupled thermal-hydraulic processes in the Roosevelt geothermal field. By matching the preproduction temperature log data of deep wells, parameters controlling flow and heat transport are identified. The method and model presented here may be useful for other geothermal fields with similar conditions.     

北京迭断陷内蓟县系热储层温度分布特征

为了掌握北京市典型地区热储层的温度分布特征,为北京地区地热地质研究工作补充数据,搜集了地热开发工作开展较早的北京城区内37口地热井的位置、井深、出水温度、水化学等数据,利用Na-KMg图解法评价了地热水的水-岩平衡状态,通过阳离子和SiO_2地温计估算了热储温度,分析了北京迭断陷内蓟县系热储层温度垂向分布特征。结果表明:1)37个样品中的35个样品均未达到水-岩平衡,而地热水中SiO_2的溶解受控于石英。2)蓟县系1 000~4 000m深度范围内热储温度分布在65.6~110.0℃范围内,且在垂向上表现出受储层内部地质沉积差异控制的特点:1 000~2 000m,蓟县系沉积特征变化大,热储温度在垂向上无明显变化规律;2 000m以下,储层温度表现出随深度增加而增加的趋势,地温梯度约为3.1℃/hm。     

Isotope–geochemical characterization and geothermometrical modeling of Uttarakhand geothermal field,India

Uttarakhand geothermal area, located in the central belt of the Himalayan geothermal province, is one of the important high temperature geothermal fields in India. In this study, the chemical characteristics of the thermal waters are investigated to identify the main geochemical processes affecting the composition of thermal waters during its ascent toward the surface as well as to determine the subsurface temperature of the feeding reservoir. The thermal waters are mainly Ca–Mg–HCO₃ type with moderate silica and TDS concentrations. Mineral saturation states calculated from PHREEQC geochemical code indicate that thermal waters are supersaturated with respect to calcite, dolomite, aragonite, chalcedony, quartz (SI > 0), and undersaturated with respect to gypsum, anhydrite, and amorphous silica (SI < 0). XRD study of the spring deposit samples fairly corroborates the predicted mineral saturation state of the thermal waters. Stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O, δ²H) data confirm the meteoric origin of the thermal waters with no oxygen-18 shift. The mixing phenomenon between thermal water with shallow ground water is substantiated using tritium (³H) and chemical data. The extent of dilution is quantified using tritium content of thermal springs and non-thermal waters. Classical geothermometers, mixing model, and multicomponent fluid geothermometry modeling (GeoT) have been applied to estimate the subsurface reservoir temperature. Among different classical geothermometers, only quartz geothermometer provide somewhat reliable estimation (96–140 °C) of the reservoir temperature. GeoT modeling results suggest that thermal waters have attained simultaneous equilibrium with respect to minerals like calcite, quartz, chalcedony, brucite, tridymite, cristobalite, talc, at the temperature 130 ± 5 °C which is in good agreement with the result obtained from the mixing model.     

高温地热系统中粘土矿物形成对Na-K和K-Mg地球化学温标准确性的影响

传统地球化学温标在估算高温地热系统内浅层热储温度(一般为100～200℃)时存在局限性,其中应用广泛的Na-K温标和K-Mg温标出现误差的原因仍不清楚.在收集了全球代表性热田内采自地热井的201个流体样品的水文地球化学数据后,利用软件WATCH将井口流体地球化学数据还原为热储条件下的对应值;在此基础上,对Na-K温标和K-Mg温标进行了评价,发现钾长石和常见富钾双八面体粘土矿物均可能对浅层热储内地热流体中的钾含量产生影响,富镁双八面体粘土矿物也可达到与地热流体的平衡,而地热流体中钠含量则受水-岩相互作用的影响很小.因此,浅层地热流体的Na-K比值与热储温度不具有对应关系,而K-Mg温标在计算浅层热储温度时虽然具有一定指示意义,但仍无法得到足够准确的结果.      

Hydrogeochemical investigation of geothermal springs in Erzurum,East Anatolia (Turkey)

Geothermal water sources located within The Erzurum province were identified and hot water samples were taken from four different geothermal areas. The results of in situ and hydrogeochemical analyses of these hot water samples were interpreted and the properties of hot water, water–rock associations, estimated reservoir temperature and hot water usage areas were determined. The temperatures of the samples collected from the study area vary between 26.2 and 57.7 °C, while pH values change from 6.09 to 7.33, EC values obtained from in situ measurements are between 1829 and 9480 µS/cm and Eh values are (??190) to (26.3) mV. Total dissolved solids of the hot waters have a range from 838.7 to 3914.1 mg/l. The maximum estimated reservoir temperature is calculated as 250 °C by applying chemical geothermometers. However, considering the actual temperatures of Pasinler, Köprüköy, Horasan and Il?ca thermal waters and wells, the most reliable temperature range depending on the applied geothermometers’ results indicate minimum and maximum reservoir temperatures 85–158.9 °C, respectively, taking in account the errors. According to the isotope analysis, the waters circulating within the geothermal system are of meteoric origin and modern waters. In addition, two samples taken from clayey levels observed in the field were analyzed and the mineralogy of the clays was evaluated.     

基于美国国家地热数据的地热温度计案例分析与方法适宜性评价

热储温度评价是地热系统研究的关键内容.文章选取建设比较成熟的美国国家地热数据系统(National Geothermal Data System,NGDS),分别利用地球化学地热温度计、多矿物平衡法、冷热水混合模型及气体地热温度计对不同地热田的热储温度进行评价,确定不同热储温度评价方法的适用性和局限性,以期为热储温度评...     

Characteristics of the Reservoir of the Rehai Geother-mal Field in Tengchong,Yunnan Province,China1

Abstract The Rehai geothermal field in Tengchong County, Yunnan Province is a significant high- temperature hydrothermal convective system. The geothermal reservoir is composed of granite. Various geothermometers are used to evaluate the reservoir temperature. The most likely temperature of the reservoir as represented by T_Na-K-Ca is about 230 °C. The chemical and isotopic compositions of fluids before boiling within the reservoir are estimated. The mixing and dilution of cold and warm waters are discussed. The Rehai geothermal field is a high- temperature (hot) water system with the subsurface boiling zone close to the surface. The reservoir pressure at different depths is calculated. And finally the water-rock equilibration is inferred.     

二氧化硅溶解度方程和地温计

对地表至下地壳和上地幔温压条件下二氧化硅溶解度实验研究的进展进行了综述，并给出了石英和非晶质ＳｉＯ２在纯水和盐水溶液中的溶解度定量方程，介绍了估算地热库温度的ＳｉＯ２地质温度计。     

Geothermometry of spinel lherzolites

Three methods of geothermometry, currently used for spinel lherzolites, are refined based on new experiments on subsolidus phase equilibria of olivine, pyroxenes and spinel in CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ and natural rock systems at 16 kb and 1200 °C. Although quasi-thermodynamic modelling is employed, the methods are essentially based on the pyroxene solvus, alumina contents in clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene. Increasing alumina contents in pyroxenes reduce enstatite and diopside components in clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene, respectively. Thus, neglect of alumina in pyroxenes causes underestimates of temperatures by the solvus method.The three geothermometers were tested by applying them to homogeneous spinel lherzolites which were especially selected for this purpose. Coincidence of the three temperatures thus estimated gives confidence in the effectiveness of the geothermometers.They were also applied to spinel lherzolite nodules in basalts and intrusive lherzolites described in the literature. It was found that equilibration temperature of the nodules varies from 1000 °C to 1300 °C, i.e., temperatures somewhat higher than have been generally thought. In contrast to the nodules, the intrusive spinel lherzolites show extensive disequilibrium, which is probably due to retrogressive metamorphism suffered by the intrusives.     

西藏东部阿旺地下热水化学特征及其成因初探

本文基于西藏阿旺乡的地热地质背景, 综合应用野外调查、水文地球化学、环境同位素方法, 初步探究了区内出露地下热水的发育特征及其成因机制。结果表明, 地下热水化学类型为HCO₃-Na型, 这与地下热水在径流过程中与围岩发生溶滤作用和阳离子交互作用有关。氢氧同位素分析显示地下热水补给来源为大气降水, 并伴随有轻微的氧漂移现象, 表明水岩作用较强烈, 热储温度较高。采用同位素方法估算补给高程在4600~4800 m左右, 推测地下热水的补给区为阿旺乡西北部山区。Na-K-Mg三角图判别法和矿物饱和度指数表明地下热水为未成熟水, 其在上升过程中受到了浅表冷水的混合, 冷水混入比为60% ~70%, 采用地球化学温标计算得到的深部热储温度为170~200 ℃, 地下热水循环深度为4500~5300 m。阿旺地区地下热水成因模式为:大气降水自补给区入渗进入深循环, 经大地热流加热形成热水, 热水在地下循环过程中沿断层破碎带上升受到浅循环冷水混合后出露地表形成温泉。     

平顶山八矿地热温标的选取及热储温度估算

在地热系统中,地热温标通常被用来评价地下热储温度,但是众多地热温标计算出的热储温度往往相差很大,需要进一步判断矿物-流体的平衡状态。以平顶山八矿地热系统为例,讨论了地球化学温标的应用条件;通过Na-K-Mg三角图及以WATCH程序建立的多矿物平衡法在该矿的应用,证实玉髓地热温标最适合估算该矿区深部热水温度,该矿区深部热水温度约为50℃。      

Hydrogeochemistry,environmental isotopes and the origin of the Hamamayagi-Ladik thermal spring (Samsun,Turkey)

Hamamayagi thermal spring (HTS) is located along the North Anatolian Fault Zone. The thermal spring has a temperature of 36°C, with total dissolved solids ranging from 485.6 to 508.5 mg/L. Hard, brittle, and gray limestones Permian aged are the reservoir rocks of the HTS. δ¹⁸O–δ²H isotope ratios clearly indicate a meteoric origin for the waters. The δ³⁴S value of sulfate in the thermal water is nearly 4.1‰ and implies a diagenetic environment characterized by reduced sulfur compounds. The δ¹³C ratio for dissolved inorganic carbonate in the HTS lies between −1.78 and −1.62‰, showing that it originates from the dissolution of fresh-water carbonates. Quartz geothermometry suggests a reservoir temperature of 52–85°C for the Hamamayagi geothermal field, but chalcedony geothermometers suggest reservoir temperatures between 30 and 53°C.     

Hydrogeochemical investigations of thermal waters in the northeastern part of Morocco

Northeastern Morocco is characterised by a large number of surface geothermal manifestations. Thermal waters are hosted within sedimentary rocks, and in particular the Liassic dolomitic limestones act as a reservoir. The presence of geothermal waters is closely related to important fault systems. Meteoric water infiltrates along those fractures and faults, gets heated, and then returns to the surface through hydrothermal conduits. Most of the thermal waters are of Na–Cl and Ca–Mg–HCO₃ types. In this paper different geochemical approaches were applied to infer the reservoir temperature. Na–K–Mg^1/2 ternary diagram points to temperatures ranging from 100 to 180 °C. Cation geothermometers suggest an average reservoir temperature of about 100 °C. Mineral solution equilibria analysis yields temperatures ranging from 50 to 185 °C. The silica enthalpy mixture model gives an average value (about 110 °C) higher than that inferred from cation geothermometers.     

Hydrochemistry and geothermometry of thermal groundwater of southeastern Tunisia (Gabes region)

Given the vital importance of water and energy in desert regions, we undertook a study dealing with the deep reservoirs in Gabes area, which is located in the southeastern part of Tunisia. Geothermal resources are taken from the Intercalary Continental [or Continental Intercalaire (CI)], known as the largest deep aquifer in Tunisia and are used in a number of applications, mainly in agriculture. Previous investigations performed on the thermal waters of this area focused on the genesis of the deep waters with regard to the thermal features of geothermal reservoirs. A more detailed investigation has been carried out, considering both deep and shallow waters. In order to estimate the potential temperatures of deep reservoir in the Gabes area, we developed a synthetic study including chemical geothermometers, multiple mineral equilibrium approach, and other approaches. Chemical types of the thermal waters and effects of mixing between shallow cold waters with deep thermal waters were also discussed. In fact, the application of Na–K–Mg diagram relative to deep geothermal reservoir capitulate estimated temperatures (about 90°C). In addition, the multiple mineral equilibrium approach submits a similar estimated temperature ranging between 65 and 70°C, showing a disequilibrium status which indicates a possibly mixing with surface water. Indeed, wells exploiting the CI aquifer in the south part of the studied area showed the same characteristics, corroborating the reliability of the applied methods.     

Application of selected geothermometers to exploration of low-enthalpy thermal water: the Sudetic Geothermal Region in Poland

The most important intakes of thermal waters within the Sudetic Geothermal Region occur in three separate hydrogeothermal systems: (1) Lądek, (2) Duszniki and (3) Cieplice. All these waters are of meteoric origin and circulate in crystalline rocks to different depths. Their outflow temperatures are between less than 20°C and to about 87°C. To evaluate the geothermal fields in the light of their prospectiveness, to further exploration of thermal energy resources, we took an effort to apply selected isotopic and chemical geothermometers to assess the maximum possible temperatures, which may be found in the reservoirs. The only chemical geothermometers which give a reliable range of reservoir temperatures are SiO₂ (chalcedony), Na–Ka–Ca and partly Na–K ones. The oxygen isotopic geothermometer in the SO₄–H₂O system gives a real range of estimated reservoir temperatures only for deeply circulating waters in the Cieplice area. On the other hand, in the case of CO₂ rich waters in the Duszniki area, where outflow temperatures do not exceed 30°C, application of chemical or isotopic temperature indicators always leads to erroneous results due to the lack of equilibrium in the thermodynamic system of water–rock interaction.