- Hydrothermal fluids extracted from shallow subsurface reservoirs through production wells allow heat to be used at the surface in specialised power generation equipment to produce electrical energy.
- Typically these fluids are a mixture of meteoric water (rain), connate water, juvenile water, and sometimes seawater. As they flow through heated subsurface faults and fracture systems into and through these reservoirs, interactions with surrounding rock can lead to mineral alteration and extensive fluid mineralization. Additionally, non-condensable gases may be present in the reservoir fluids, making the mixture hot, corrosive, and prone to scaling and precipitation within the production and processing systems during pressure and temperature changes.
- Flow assurance is critical in wells and surface equipment systems to ensure reliable performance integrity during extraction of heat and production of electricity.
