Geothermal Stimulation Enhances Production (and Profits) (Green Technology Investments.com)
 |
| (Courtesy Green Technology Investments.com) |
|
Ormat Technologies Inc.,
Nevada Geothermal Power Inc.,
U.S. Geothermal Inc. and other geothermal power providers are rapidly moving towards new and innovative techniques to enhance production. One of these methods is known as “geothermal stimulation” and could dramatically boost the industry.
Geothermal stimulation involves pumping very high volumes of cold water from the surface at just above the critical pressure for shear failure. With no gels and usually no proppants, the technique stimulates pre-existing micro fractures in order to provide greater flow between the injection and production wells. The ideal amount of time that it takes the water to flow between the two wells is 4-6 weeks. If the water moves too quickly between the wells, it doesn’t have the chance to become heated to a sufficient enough temperature for power production. If the water flows too slowly, the result can be a lack of a sufficient volume of water for power production.
