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Lessons learned from the Habanero EGS Project
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2017
Year
VolcanologyEngineeringBusiness Continuity PlanningProject ManagementWell StimulationCooper BasinEarth ScienceReservoir EngineeringDrillingEnhanced Geothermal SystemRisk ManagementManagementGeoenvironmental EngineeringHydrogeologyGeologyGeothermal SystemsGeothermal Power StationsQuality AssuranceCivil EngineeringGeothermal SystemGeothermal DrillingBinary Power PlantGeothermal EnergyHabanero Egs Project
The Habanero (or Cooper Basin) Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) project commenced in 2000. Over 15+ years of operations, six deep EGS wells were drilled into deep, hot granite near the town of Innamincka in Central Australia. Multiple hydraulic stimulations and well tests were performed and two extended closed loop circulation tests were conducted. A binary power plant was even installed on site to demonstrate the ability of an EGS system to generate electricity. However, despite the technical success of the project, it failed to satisfy key economic measures and the entire project is now in the process of being abandoned. Over those years of active planning, drilling, stimulation, testing and evaluation, numerous papers have been published to describe and discuss various aspects or phases of the project. This paper will attempt to collate the key reservoir lessons from the Habanero experience and relate them to other EGS projects in general.