Reinjection of geothermal fluid has been practised for years at geothermal fields in Iceland, and it brings real benefits. Reinjecting effluent water prevents ponds or streams from forming at the surface. Reinjection can also maintain pressure in geothermal systems that would otherwise decline as they are used.
Under the Carbfix banner in Iceland, methods have been developed for the disposal of gases, carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S). The method rests on capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the emissions of a geothermal power plant or from the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide (CO2) is then dissolved in water and injected down into the rock formations. There, natural processes turn the CO2 to stone and it precipitates as the mineral calcite. The method has been developed around the operation of ON Power's geothermal plants. It has also been applied to the disposal of hydrogen sulphide (H2S).
Injection and disposal of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) has so far been applied at geothermal power plants. Everything indicates that the methods can be transferred to further areas and to different conditions.
ÍSOR offers specialist services in mapping likely sites for carbon storage, siting injection wells and monitoring the injection.
ÍSOR's services in reinjection and carbon storage
- Geological mapping and geological modelling
- Siting of boreholes for injection and water supply
- Groundwater modelling
- Reservoir studies and numerical modelling
- Chemistry and model calculations
- Engineering consultancy
- Advice on drilling operations
- Borehole logging
- Monitoring and environmental surveillance:
- Seismic monitoring and processing
- Chemical sampling and processing
- Gas flux measurements and processing
- Drone imaging
