Publication Name: PESA's Eastern Australasian Basin Symposium II
Authors: B.T. Armstrong and S.S. Rahman
Date Published: December 2004
Number of Pages: 23
Reference Type: Book Section
Abstract:
The use and availability of water is one of the key issues for the Moomba hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal powergeneration project in the Cooper Basin, South Australia. This study estimates the volume of water required during the development life-cycle of the Moomba project from site evaluation, project development through to project operation. The estimate is based on the analysis of likely water usage for each of the phases of the project, and the examination of water use in existing or past projects around the world.
Research has shown that the water requirements for the evaluation and development phases will average 15.5 ML for each drilled and stimulated well. Over the length of the anticipated development phase, this amounts to less that 1 ML per day. Once the development phase is completed and circulation is commenced, it is expected-as the likely reservoir is a 'closed' system-that the project will require 8.5 ML per day to operate.
Initial analysis shows that the required volume of water can be accessed sustainably from the Great Artesian Basin. The key to this is the close management of stakeholder concerns and the development of a strong water management plan. The Moomba HDR project is not expected to require high-quality water for its operation.