Geothermal Injection / Production Bore Development Services

Fouling within geothermal bores can be caused by a number of factors and will typically occur in both injection and production bores. Due to the nature of down hole conditions it is an issue that can never be completely eliminated, though with the right method of injection control it can be substantially slowed and reduced. Fouling issues prevent bores from operating at their peak performance and can promote corrosion, lowering the overall life span of the bore.

Issues experienced with production bores may be:

• Lower bore production rates (yield) due to fouled screen apertures
• Higher pumping draw down due to fouled screen apertures
• Submersible motor overheating due to reduced yields
• Submersible pump deterioration due to entrained sands and solids

Issues experienced with injection bores may be:

• Lower injection flow rates due to fouled screen apertures and fouled aquifer porosity
• Higher injection pressures due to fouled screen apertures and fouled aquifer porosity

The fouled screen apertures and fouled aquifer porosity can be caused by any combination of bio fouling, calcite formation, silted sands and mineralised deposits formed by chemical reactions between the injection and extraction bore water chemistries.

There are a number of treatment options to cater for the different forms of fouling however injection bores typically require a program consisting of:

  • Initial CCTV camera inspection to determine the required actions, action locations and to form a visual baseline for the before and after comparison to establish remediation effectiveness
  • Dual tube vacuum airlift to remove any silts, sands and solids within the base of the bore – airlifting in this manner means air is not introduced into the bore as it will induce biofouling
  • High Pressure (HP) jetting and concurrent airlifting to loosen and remove all fouling from the screen apertures and the fouled aquifer pores
  • Completion downhole CCTV camera inspection survey to visually confirm the remediation effectiveness
  • Where biofouling is evident, chemical treatment will also be administered once all mechanical remediation has been completed

 

The typical procedure outlined above ensures that not only are the fouled screen apertures cleaned (similar to a mechanical brushing technique), but more importantly the fouled aquifer porosity issue is addressed, ensuring a more effective and longer lasting clean out without any mechanical damage to the bore.

AGE has a proven track record remediating geothermal bores and will be happy to discuss your particular bore symptoms, propose tailored solutions and to provide client references for similar work where requested.

In addition to the geothermal bore cleaning services AGE Developments provides, we also manufacture a range of ASR (Aquifer Storage & Recovery) and AIC (Aquifer Injection Control) equipment to assist in minimising geothermal injection bore fouling issues.

Client Reference List

Below is a list of Geothermal and Injection bore clients AGE Developments have successfully worked with:

  • Water Corporation of Western Australia
  • Santos Australia
  • BHP Iron Ore
  • City of Joondalup – Craigie Leisure Centre
  • City of Stirling – Scarborough Beach Pool
  • Town of Claremont – Claremont Aquatic Centre
  • City of Cockburn – Aquatic and Recreation Centre
  • City of Canning – Riverton Leisureplex
  • Peninsula Hot Springs
  • City of Canning – Canninton Leisureplex
  • City of Armadale – Fitness and Aquatic Centre
  • City of Mandurah – Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre
  • Town of Vincent – Beatty Park Leisure Centre
  • St. Hildas School – Geothermal Pool
  • Hale School – Geothermal Pool
  • John XXIII School – Geothermal Heating System
  • Edith Cowan University

To find out more or to discuss any specific needs you have – be it for off the shelf equipment or custom designed equipment, contact AGE Developments.

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