Development of a 3-D Geothermal Reservoir Model for the Greater Hengill Volcano in SW-Iceland

an existing high-temperature geothermal reservoir model to fully cover the ~110 km 2 low-resistivity and high-temperature anomaly, associated with the Hengill volcanic system in SW-Iceland. Thereby, virtually all available surface and subsurface data in the region have been integrated into one and the same numerical model. The model development is a major task and is supported by inverse modeling (iTOUGH2) and parallel computing on a multi-node Linux cluster. The first phase of the modeling effort was completed in June 2002. The existing Nesjavellir model properties were integrated into the new model and natural state and production data matched. Consequently, several future production scenarios were studied in order to address the feasibility of expanding the Nesjavellir unit. At present we are focusing on the Hellisheidi area, where the aim is to develop the numerical model in parallel with drilling activities. This effort may, optimally, speed up the decision process on additional power plant development in the region