Earth Model
In partnership with Seequent an interactive viewer of the earth model of the Milford Site and surrounding area was developed using Leapfrog Geothermal. The datasets represent the subsurface, well locations, and microseismicity from the 2020 stimulation of well 16A(78)-32.
The earth model is best viewed on a desktop computer (not a tablet or smartphone).
Earth modeling data are in SI units and in UTM, Zone 12N, NAD83, NAVD88 referenced coordinates.
Utah FORGE Site data are available on the Geothermal Data Repository.
Modeling and Simulation Community Updates
The Utah FORGE Modeling and Simulation Forum has been created to serve as a means to communicate our role, as the Utah FORGE Modeling Team, in the research and development of the Utah FORGE site. It is a recurring meeting called the “Utah FORGE M&S Community Update” – a venue where the Utah FORGE modeling team and the modeling community can come together to discuss our efforts, successes, and challenges.
With the currently ongoing Solicitation 2020-1 awardee projects and the recently announced Solicitation 2022-2, the Utah FORGE Modeling and Simulation Community has greatly expanded! Every so often we ask one or two research teams to give an update on their progress and discuss any issues they (or anyone else for that matter) may be having. It is a recurring bi-monthly meeting held on every 3rd Wednesday of each month at 11 am MST.
New schedule for 2024: Jan. 17, Mar. 20, May 15, Jul. 17, Sep. 18, Nov. 20.
A one-time registration is required to attend
By registering, you also agree to receive informational emails about Utah FORGE M&S Community Monthly Update meetings.
Recordings
All meetings are recorded – access links to previous community update recordings below.
Links to Available Recordings
January 19, 2022
2021 Utah FORGE modeling summary and 2022 look ahead – Presented by Robert Podgorney (INL)
December 15, 2021
Impact of injection rate ramp-up on nucleation and arrest of dynamic fault slip – Presented by Federico Ciardo (ETH-Zurich)
November 17, 2021
Hybrid fracture/matrix modeling for well completion options evaluation – Presented by Lynn Munday and Somayajulu L. N. Dhulipala (INL)
October 20, 2021
Ground acceleration modeling from potential induced seismicity – Presented by Chandrakanth Bolisetti (INL)
September 15, 2021
Utah FORGE site field update and Utah FORGE 16A-78-32 stimulation modeling – Presented by Aleta Finnila (Golder) and Branko Damjanac (Itasca)/Pengju Xing (UofU)
August 18, 2021
Microseismic monitoring and risk mitigation plan for the first Utah FORGE stimulations at the toe of 16A-32 – Presented by Ben Dyer (GeoEnergie Suisse)
July 21, 2021
Utah FORGE DFN model file availability on GDR – Presented by Aleta Finnila (Golder)
May 19, 2021
An overview of Modeling and Simulation related to Utah FORGE research awards – Presented by Robert Podgorney
January 20, 2021
Accessing Heat and Fluid Flow in Doublet Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) – Presented by Pranay Asai and Robert Podgorney
October 28, 2020
Back-analysis of injection tests in zone 2 on well 58-32 – Presented by Branko Damjanac, Pengju Xing, John McLennan
August 19, 2020
Coupled Simulations of Well and Reservoir Thermal Hydraulics – Presented by Rob Podgorney and David Andrs (INL)
June 17, 2020
Injection Testing and Stress Measurements – Presented by Pengju Xing (EGI) & John McLennan (EGI)
May 20, 2020
Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation Patterns in the FORGE Reservoir Using Multiple Stochastic DFN Realizations and Variable Stress Conditions – Presented by Aleta Finnila (Golder)
April 15, 2020
Modeling and Simulation Forum: Introduction and Overview – Presented by Rob Podgorney (INL)
Numerical Modeling
A numerical implementation of the conceptual and earth models has been developed of the FORGE reservoir and surrounding area to estimate the spatial distribution of native state pressure, temperature, and stress conditions. The primary goal of this effort was threefold.
- Incorporate detailed 3D parameter distributions and complex boundary conditions identified from characterizing the site.
- Better understand the spatial distribution of stress and how it may influence reservoir stimulation.
- Establish a reference (or baseline) set of parameter and property distributions that can be used among the team (and modeling community at large) to ensure consistency and comparability of simulation results.
The data and results included here are from the reference models completed in November 2019, at the approximate end of Phase 2. A complete report on the Phase 2 Modeling and Simulation can be found here.
Native State Modeling
Reservoir Properties
Initial reservoir properties used in the native state model were taken directly from characterization data when possible. In many cases, a range of possible values were available, and the mean or median was used, with the values being adjusted within the measured range during model calibration. In all cases, uniform reservoir properties are used within the alluvium. For the granitoid, heterogeneous property distributions are applied where appropriate and data are available. Tables below summarize the property values used. These are the “reference” values for the current state of FORGE.
Modeling Prior to 2022
Other Resources
Fun with Geothermal
Categories
Circulation Experiments at Utah FORGE – Geothermics Peter Niemz
Paper by Peter Niemz et al., (Geothermics) describes seismic observations from the circulation tests at FORGE using only the regional (near-)surface network of the UUSS.
At the Core of Utah FORGE – “A Climate of Hope” — Utah FORGE at NHMU
On November 11, 2023, the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU) showcased its newest permanent exhibit: “A Climate of Hope.”
Did You Know? … About the Ocean’s Most Hardcore Snail
Known as the volcano snail, iron snail or scaly-foot snail — is a species of snail that lives in hydrothermal vents …
Let’s Connect
For project, contracts and operations, contact Joseph Moore:
utahforge@utah.edu
For Modeling and Simulation Forum information:
utahforge-modeling@utah.edu
For general information, outreach activities and communications:
utahforge-info@utah.edu
For information regarding Solicitations and funding opportunities:
utahforgesolicitations@utah.edu