As part of the NZ Geothermal Workshop in November, a short course will be held on “Geothermal Resource Decision Workshop: Volcano-hosted Conceptual Models”, to be held Nov. 20-21, 2017 in Rotorua/ NZ.
Best practice publications in the geothermal industry emphasize integrating geoscience data to build geothermal resource conceptual models as the basis for well targeting and resource capacity assessment at all stages of exploration and development. This workshop is directed at geoscientists, researchers, engineers and managers who wish to better appreciate how conventional (non-EGS) geothermal conceptual models are constructed and how they are used to support a resource decision risk assessment process.
During the workshop, short lectures introduce the components of volcano-hosted geothermal conceptual models and how they are constrained using geochemistry, geology, geophysics, and basic concepts of thermodynamics of water flow in rock. Interspersed with the lectures are exercises which provide participants an opportunity, within a small group, to:
- design a conceptually effective exploration survey
- interpret real geoscience data in an integrated geothermal context
- build an initial range of resource conceptual models
- complete well target and resource capacity risk assessments
- interpret drilling results, update conceptual models and reassess targets and capacity
- propose an appraisal drilling program
- based on results from six wells, recommend constructing a power plant at the minimum economic capacity or terminating the investment