Numerical modelling for flow, solute transport, and heat transfer in a high-permeability sandstone

Abstract

Demand for water in the Perth Metropolitan Area, Western Australia, is increasing and new water supply options need to be considered. Aquifer replenishment by injection through wells is seen as a part of the solution however before any large scale implementation of an injection well field is considered several trials are being completed. Time lapse induction and temperature logging have been completed as part of two aquifer replenishment trials in the Perth Metropolitan area. The intention of the time lapse logging is to detail the movement of water away from the injector well into the Leederville formation. A hydrothermal computer model constrained by time lapse wireline logging induction and temperature results has been created to understand the movement of water and heat during injection into the Wanneroo sandstone formation. As with most practical numerical modelling, a level of non-uniqueness in the model parameters selected will exist. It is demonstrated that the calibration to time lapse logging results provides an important constraint on the range of flow, solute transport and heat parameters that can be used to build a reasonable hydrothermal computer model. First, the flow and solute transport model is constrained with time lapse electrical conductivity distributions at the monitoring wells. Next, the model is expanded to include heat transport. Results of our modelling provide the first field scale estimates of heat parameters in the Leederville Aquifer in Perth.