Reservoir assessment of the Ósabotnar low-temperature geothermal field, SW Iceland

Abstract

In the year 2002, production began in the Ósabotnar low-temperature geothermal field to cover a decline in the capacity of wells in the Thorleifskot-Laugardaelir lowtemperature system in SW-Iceland. Ósabotnar is a liquid-dominated convective system. A 10 year long series of production rates exists for the two production wells ÓS-01 and ÓS-02 and pressure data are available for well HT-24 for almost the entire production period. These data were simulated by lumped parameter modelling. By simulating various production scenarios, the maximum production potential was estimated. Accurate models predict the water level in the future, and this field looks promising. These results provide a good basis for management of the resource. It is hoped that, in the future, deeper wells in the Ósabotnar low-temperature geothermal field with deeper casings will provide a steady supply of thermal water for space heating in this district.