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Vuataz, François

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Vuataz, François
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https://libra.unine.ch/handle/123456789/152

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  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Use of Cl/Br Ratio to Decipher the Origin of Dissolved Mineral Components in Deep Fluids from the Alps Range and Neighbouring Areas
    (2010)
    Sonney, Romain
    ;
    Vuataz, François 
    ;
    Cattin, Stéphane
    Cl/Br ratios were studied in deep groundwaters to decipher the origin of dissolved mineral components from the Alps and neighbouring areas. Cl/Br molar ratio represents a good marker to define if the salinity comes from seawater or residual brines (655 and lower) or from dissolution of halite or halite-rich gypsum, often present in the Triassic formations (upper than the seawater ratio). It can be an interesting tool for projects dealing with exploration and production of geothermal fluids. Results of this study showed the presence of trapped seawater in formations of the large basins from the Quaternary to the basement, resulting from infiltration during different marine intrusion periods. This method also showed the presence of brines in crystalline aquifers. Some of these waters discharge along subvertical faults and are diluted to various degrees by different types of meteoric waters. In some cases, this method raises new questions about the true geological origin of deep circulations.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Validation of Chemical and Isotopic Geothermometers from Low Temperature Deep Fluids of Northern Switzerland
    (2010)
    Sonney, Romain
    ;
    Vuataz, François 

    During more than 30 years, chemical and isotopic geothermometers have been extensively used to calculate and estimate the temperature of geothermal reservoirs in various geological, petrographical and thermal conditions. In this evaluation, chemical analyses of deep boreholes from the Molasse Basin and the Tabular Jura in Northern Switzerland were used to estimate reservoir temperatures with geothermometers, and results were compared to measured temperatures at depth. The presence of thermal waters in subhorizontal formations with a temperature range of 12-112°C, is associated with various geological and petrographical settings (sedimentary, crystalline rocks).

    Composition of geothermal fluids depends on various and sometimes competing processes, such as full or partial chemical equilibrium, mixing with shallow groundwater or trapped seawater, dissolution of evaporite, ionic exchange with clays, or residence time in the reservoir. These processes are constraining for the application of geothermometers. Moreover, some of them have a limited temperature range of application cannot be used in some petrologic environments. Thus, a range of possible reservoir temperatures is calculated depending on several assumptions and compared to measured temperature. Application of chemical and isotopic geothermometers, using several calibrations proposed in the literature, is discussed in this specific context.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Preliminary Modelling of the Permeability Reduction in the Injection Zone at Berlin Geothermal Field, El Salvador
    (2010)
    Portier, Sandrine
    ;
    Vuataz, François 
    ;
    Barrios Martinez, Antonina Luz
    ;
    Siddiqi, Gunter

    The exploitation of the Berlin geothermal field (El Salvador) started in February 1992 with two 5 MW electrical units. In December 1999, exploitation at a larger scale started with the operation of two turbo-generating condensation units of 27.5 MWe each. Since the beginning of exploitation until today, all the deep thermal fluids produced during the generation of electricity have been injected back to the reservoir. However, the well injectivities declined because of self-sealing processes of fracture thereby reducing permeability in the injection zones.

    Our study focuses on the factors that may have caused the observed loss of injectivity of reinjection wells, using numerical simulation of fluid flow with coupled chemical reaction modelling. Such a model helps quantitatively understand the complex interplay of thermal, hydraulic and chemical processes (THC) and to predict the impact of reinjection on reservoir properties. The first preliminary simulation was carried out with FRACHEM code. This paper presents simulation results that reproduce in some way the observed decrease of permeability in the injection zone with time.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    The Database of Geothermal Fluids in Switzerland on Google Earth
    (2010)
    Sonney, Romain
    ;
    Vuataz, François 
    ;
    Cattin, Stéphane

    The database BDFGeotherm, containing physical, chemical and hydrogeological information on more than 200 deep fluids from 84 sites in Switzerland and some neighbouring regions, was first compiled on ACCESS code and was later modified to improve its availability and attractiveness by using Google Earth free software and the CREGE website (www.crege.ch/BDFGeotherm/). BDFGeotherm is a functional tool for various phases of a geothermal project such as exploration, production or fluid re-injection. This database allows gathering existing geothermal data, generally widely dispersed and often difficult to reach, towards a user’s friendly tool. Downloading the file “BDFGeotherm.kmz” from the CREGE website makes possible to visualize the 84 geothermal sites from Switzerland and neighbouring areas. Each one is represented with a pinpoint of different colour, for diverse temperature ranges.

    A large majority of sites is located in the northern part of the Jura Mountain and in the upper Rhone Valley. General information about water use, geology, flow rate, temperature and mineralization are given in a small window by clicking on the desired pinpoint. Moreover, two links to Internet addresses are available for each site in each window, allowing returning to the CREGE website or providing more details on each sampling point such as: geographical description, reservoir geology, hydraulics, hydrochemistry, isotopes and geothermal parameters. For a limited number of sites, photos and a geological log can be viewed and exported (Sonney et al., 2009).
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Modelling Acid-Rock Interactions and Mineral Dissolution During RMA Stimulation Test Performed at the Soultz-sous-Forêts EGS Site, France
    (2010)
    Portier, Sandrine
    ;
    Vuataz, François 
    The Soultz EGS reservoir’s response to chemical stimulation is assessed by numerical simulation of coupled thermo-hydraulic-chemical processes. To assess chemical interactions between host rocks and a mixture of HCl and HF as well as its potential effects on the Soultz EGS reservoir, new modelling efforts using the FRACHEM code have been initiated. This paper presents the model calibration and results. Simulations consider realistic conditions with available data sets from the EGS system at Soultz. Results indicate that the predicted amount of fracture sealing minerals dissolved by injection of a mixture of acids (RMA) was consistent with the estimated amount from the test performed on GPK4 well at Soultz EGS site. Consequently reservoir porosity and permeability can be enhanced especially near the injection well by acidizing treatment.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Remobilisation of deep Na-Cl waters by a regional flow system in the Alps: Case study of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (France)
    (2010)
    Sonney, Romain
    ;
    Vuataz, François 
    Le système hydrothermal de Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, France est localisé au niveau du point bas du massif cristallin des Aiguilles Rouges, côté sud-ouest. Le socle n’affleure pas directement sur la zone étudiée, mais est certainement présent au-delà de 300 m de profondeur. Les eaux thermales ascendantes sont pompées dans deux différents aquifères, sous les dépôts quaternaires de la vallée du Bon Nant. Dans l’aquifère du Permien-Trias inférieur traversé par les forages De Mey (27–36 °C), une eau thermale ascendante Na-SO4 riche en Cl issue du socle cristallin (4,8 g/L) est essentiellement diluée par une eau froide Ca-SO4, pauvre en chlorure, circulant dans la couverture autochtone du socle des Aiguilles Rouges. Cette eau thermale saline se serait infiltrée dans les Aiguilles Rouges et circulerait en profondeur jusqu’aux plans de chevauchement, avec le lessivage de saumures résiduelles d’inclusions fluides (rapport molaire Cl/Br inférieur à 655). La dissolution de la halite triasique (Cl/Br > 1000) n’est pas possible à Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, car les eaux froides ont des teneurs faibles en chlorure (< 20 mg/L). Des interactions eau–roche se produisent durant la remontée via des décrochements nord–sud affectant le socle et sa couverture sédimentaire. Pour le forage De Mey Est, la dissolution du gypse se produit avec des échanges cationiques produisant du Na et la dissolution de Mg à basse température, depuis la dolomie triasique se produit également. L’aquifère des écailles du Trias moyen et supérieur, traversé par le forage Lépinay (39 °C), contient des eaux thermales fortement mélangées avec des eaux pauvres en chlorure et la dissolution du gypse se produit également. La zone d’infiltration du pôle thermal est située vers 1700–2100 m d’altitude, altitude équivalente pour le système hydrothermal de Lavey-les-Bains correspondant au massif des Aiguilles Rouges. Pour le pôle Ca-SO4 pauvre en chlorure, la zone d’infiltration est plus basse (1100–1300 m), montrant des circulations depuis le massif du Mont Joly. L’application des géothermomètres indique une température du réservoir probablement supérieure à 65 °C, mais n’excédant pas 100 °C., The hydrothermal system of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, France is located in a south western low-elevation point of the Aiguilles Rouges crystalline Massif. The crystalline rocks are not directly outcropping in the studied area but certainly exist beyond 300 m depth. Uprising waters are pumped from two different aquifers below the Quaternary deposits of the Bon Nant Valley. In the Lower Trias-Permian aquifer crossed by De Mey boreholes (27–36 °C), the ascending Na-SO4 and high-Cl thermal water from the basement (4.8 g/L) is mostly mixed by a Ca-SO4 and low-Cl cold water circulating in the autochthonous cover of the Aiguilles Rouges Basement. The origin of the saline thermal water probably results from infiltration and circulation in the basement until it reaches deep thrust faults with leaching of residual brines or fluid inclusions at depth (Cl/Br molar ratio lower than 655). The dissolution of Triassic halite (Cl/Br > 1000) is not possible at Saint-Gervais-les-Bains because the Triassic cold waters have a low-Cl concentration (< 20 mg/L). Water–rock interactions occur during the upflow via north–south strike-slip faults in the basement and later on in the autochthonous cover. For the De Mey Est borehole, gypsum dissolution is occurring with cationic exchanges involving Na, as well as low-temperature Mg dissolution from dolomite in the Triassic formations. The aquifer of imbricated structures (Upper-Middle Trias) crossed by the Lépinay well (39 °C) contains thermal waters, which are strongly mixed with a low-Cl water, where gypsum dissolution also occurs. The infiltration area for the thermal end-member is in the range 1700–2100 m, close to the Lavey-les-Bains hydrothermal system corresponding to the Aiguilles Rouges Massif. For the Ca-SO4 and low-Cl end-member, the infiltration area is lower (1100–1300 m) showing circulation from the Mont Joly Massif. The geothermometry method indicates a reservoir temperature of probably up to 65 °C but not exceeding 100 °C.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Developing the ability to model acid-rock interactions and mineral dissolution during the RMA stimulation test performed at the Soultz-sous-Forêts EGS site, France
    (2010)
    Portier, Sandrine
    ;
    Vuataz, François 
    L’impact de la stimulation chimique sur le réservoir du Système Géothermal Stimulé (SGS) de Soultz est évalué par simulation numérique des processus couplés thermo-hydraulique-chimique. Les modélisations 2-D simplifiées du réservoir ont pour but d’interpréter et de prévoir les interactions acides-roche dans le granite fracturé du système géothermal stimulé de Soultz-sous-Forêts. Pour évaluer les interactions chimiques entre la roche hôte et un mélange de HCl et HF, ainsi que les effets potentiels du traitement chimique sur le réservoir SGS de Soultz, une nouvelle calibration du code FRACHEM a été intégrée. Les résultats de la simulation indiquent que la quantité prévue de minéraux dissous par injection d’un mélange d’acides Regular Mud Acid (RMA) est comparable au montant estimé lors du test de stimulation chimique du puits GPK4 sur le site SGS de Soultz. Par conséquent, la porosité et la perméabilité du réservoir peuvent être améliorées près du puits d’injection par la stimulation chimique., The Soultz Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) reservoir's response to chemical stimulation is assessed by numerical simulation of coupled thermo-hydraulic-chemical processes. To assess chemical interactions between host rocks and a mixture of HCl and HF as well as its potential effects on the Soultz EGS reservoir, new modelling efforts using the FRACHEM code have been initiated. This article presents the model calibration and results. Simulations consider realistic conditions with available data sets from the EGS system at Soultz. Results indicate that the predicted amount of fracture sealing minerals dissolved by injection of a mixture of acids Regular Mud Acid (RMA) was consistent with the estimated amount from the test performed on GPK4 well at Soultz EGS site. Consequently reservoir porosity and permeability can be enhanced especially near the injection well by acidizing treatment.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Chemical stimulation techniques for geothermal wells: experiments on the three-well EGS system at Soultz-sous-Forêts, France
    (2009)
    Portier, Sandrine
    ;
    Vuataz, François 
    ;
    Nami, Patrick
    ;
    Sanjuan, Bernard
    ;
    Gérard, André
    Rock matrix stimulation is a method of enhancing well production or injection within a broad range of challenging environments, varying from naturally fractured limestones to sandstones with complex mineralogy. A common and often successful stimulation option, matrix acidizing, utilizes acids that react and remove mineral phases restricting fluid flow. Reviewed is the technology of chemical treatments available for oil, gas and geothermal wells and the key elements and results of the chemical reservoir stimulation program at the Soultz-sous-Forêts, France, Enhanced Geothermal System Project.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Numerical modelling of Alpine deep flow systems: a management and prediction tool for an exploited geothermal reservoir (Lavey-les-Bains, Switzerland)
    (2009)
    Sonney, Romain
    ;
    Vuataz, François 
    Le site géothermal de Lavey-les-Bains (Suisse) est un système alpin d’écoulement profond dans des terrains cristallins fracturés. Les analyses acquises depuis 1973 sur les eaux souterraines montrent un processus de mélange entre une composante profonde et chaude (68°C et TDS 1.4 g/L) et une eau froide peu profonde. La production sur le nouveau puits profond P600, réalisé en 1997, a amplifié ce processus de mélange dans le puits P201, où une baisse de la température et des TDS a été observée. Des modèles numériques 2D et 3D de chaleur, d’écoulement et de transport de masse ont été développés pour reproduire le système géothermal et pour prédire le potentiel de ressource géothermique exploitable à long terme. La température calculée du réservoir profond induit (100–130°C) est en accord avec les géothermomètres alors que le flux d’eau thermale (5,400–9,000 m3/jour) est probablement sous-estimé. Plusieurs scénarios de production de fluide permettent de reproduire les phases de baisse et de stabilisation des températures dans le champ géothermal depuis 1997. Sur P201, le rapport de mélange calculé avant et pendant l’exploitation de P600 est comparable aux valeurs observées; la température modélisée sur P201 tend vers une stabilisation à 56 C après 10–15 ans de production sur P600. La proposition d’un nouveau puits est susceptible de réduire la production thermale des puits existants., The geothermal site of Lavey-les-Bains, Switzerland is an Alpine deep flow system in fractured crystalline rocks. Groundwater analyses since 1973 reveal a mixing process between a deep warm component (68°C and TDS 1.4 g/L) and cold shallow water. The production rate of the new deep well P600, installed in 1997, has amplified this mixing process in well P201, for which a decline in temperature and TDS has been observed. Numerical hydrogeological two-dimensional and three-dimensional models of heat, flow and mass transport have been developed to reproduce the geothermal system and to forecast the long-term exploitation potential of the geothermal resource. The computed temperature of the deep inferred reservoir (100–130°C) is in agreement with the geothermometers, whereas the simulated thermal water flux (5,400–9,000 m3/day) is probably underestimated. Different fluid production scenarios can reproduce the decline and stabilization phases of temperatures in the geothermal field since 1997. For P201, the mixing ratio calculated before and during the exploitation of P600 is comparable with observed data; the modelled temperature tends towards stabilization in P201 at 56°C after 10–15 years of production at P600. Another proposed new well is likely to reduce the thermal output of the existing wells.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Properties of geothermal fluids in Switzerland: A new interactive database
    (2008)
    Sonney, Romain
    ;
    Vuataz, François 
    A database on geothermal fluids in Switzerland, called BDFGeotherm, has been compiled. It consists of nine related tables with fields describing the geographical, geological, hydrogeological and geothermal conditions of each sampling location. In all, 203 springs and boreholes from 82 geothermal sites in Switzerland and neighboring regions are listed in this new interactive Microsoft Access database. BDFGeotherm is a functional tool for various phases of a geothermal project such as exploration, production or fluid re-injection. Many types of queries can be run, using any fields from the database, and the results can be put into tables and printed or exported and saved in other files. In addition to describing the database structure, this paper also gives a summary of the reservoir formations, the geographical distribution of hydraulic parameters, the geochemical types of thermal waters and the potential geothermal resources associated with the sites.