Finite element modeling of the Kizildere geothermal system, Turkey

The Kizildere geothermal reservoir and adjacent aquifers in the Byk Menderes Graben comprise an integrated hydrogeological system and are dominated by flow in fractures and distinct strata. To investigate the effects of production, a two-dimensional (areal) distributed parameter model, based on finite element approximation for a hot water-type geothermal reservoir, was used. The model simulates heat transport combined with the flow of water through an equivalent porous medium. Because of the large region being considered, at the scale of the application the equivalent porous medium concept is appropriate. The model parameters were calibrated using production data from 1984 to 1998. The response of the model to fluid extraction agrees to what has been observed in the field. Then various flow rates were evaluated using the model to determine the possible response of the reservoir to future exploitation. The model indicates that the existing wells are not sufficient to sustain a 20 MWe operation for 20 years.