The Los Humeros (Mexico) geothermal field model deduced from new geophysical and geological data

Arzate, Jorge; Corbo-Camargo, Fernando; Carrasco-Núñez, Gerardo; Hernández, Javier Reyes; Yutsis, Vsevolod

doi:10.1016/j.geothermics.2017.09.009

Cited by 51 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The MT profile ranges from highly conductive (< 5 ohm-m) to resistive values (≈300-500 ohm-m), with sharp resistivity changes within the geothermal field, mainly related to lithology, hydrothermal alteration and/or occurrence of hydrothermal fluids (Fig. 9a) (Arzate et al, 2018). From southwest to northeast most of the changes in resistivity correspond to structures already identified in the geological map and cross-sections ( Figs.…”

Section: Magnetotelluric Resistivity Imaging Of the Caldera Complexmentioning

confidence: 63%

The structural architecture of the Los Humeros volcanic complex and geothermal field

Norini

Carrasco-Núñez

Corbo-Camargo

et al. 2019

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

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113

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The Los Humeros Volcanic Complex (LHVC) is a large silicic caldera complex in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB), hosting a geothermal field currently in exploitation by the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) of Mexico, with an installed capacity of ca. 95 MW of electric power. Understanding the structural architecture of LHVC is important to get insights into the interplay between the volcano-tectonic setting and the characteristics of the geothermal resources in the area. The analysis of volcanotectonic interplay in LHVC benefits from the availability of subsurface data obtained during the exploration of the geothermal reservoir that allows the achievement of a 3D structural view of the volcano system. The LHVC thus represents an important natural laboratory for the development of general models of volcano-tectonic interaction in calderas. In this study, we discuss a structural model of LHVC based on morphostructural and field analysis, integrated with well logs, focal mechanism solutions and magnetotelluric imaging. The structural analysis suggests that inherited regional tectonic structures recognized in the basement played an important role in the evolution of the magma feeding system, caldera collapses and post-caldera deformations. These inherited weak planes have been reactivated by resurgence faults and post-caldera magma-driven hydrofractures under a local radial stress field generated by the shallow LHVC magmatic/hydrothermal system. The local stress field induced caldera resurgence and volcanotectonic faulting. The results of this study are important to better constrain the structural architecture of large caldera complexes. Also, our study is useful to understand the structure of the Los Humeros geothermal field and support the exploration of deeper Super-Hot Geothermal Systems (SHGSs) and engineering of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGSs) for electric power production in the LHVC and other active resurgent calderas.

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Section: Magnetotelluric Resistivity Imaging Of the Caldera Complexmentioning

confidence: 63%

The structural architecture of the Los Humeros volcanic complex and geothermal field

Norini

Carrasco-Núñez

Corbo-Camargo

et al. 2019

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

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113

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“…While some of the faults in Los Humeros have prominent fault scarps, their continuation into the deep geothermal reservoir often remains unknown (Norini et al, 2015). Geophysical resistivity studies indicate zones of increased alteration as a result of intense fluid-rock interaction in the subsurface of Los Humeros reaching up to 5-6 km depth (Arzate et al, 2018;Benediktsdóttir et al, 2019). Different studies have shown that faults can act as major conduits for fluid-flow and are responsible for secondary permeability in geothermal systems (Caine et al, 1996;Rowland and Sibson, 2004;Rossetti et al, 2011;Jolie et al, 2016), but can also reduce permeability and act as a barrier due to mineral precipitation or comminution (Aben et al, 2016;Rossetti et al, 2011;Rowland and Sibson, 2004).…”

Section: Deep-derived Gases In Context To Fault Zone Architecture Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magmatic volatiles to assess permeable volcano-tectonic structures in the Los Humeros geothermal field, Mexico

Jentsch

Jolie

Jones

et al. 2020

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

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Magmatic volatiles can be considered as the surface fingerprint of active volcanic systems, both during periods of quiescent and eruptive volcanic activity. The spatial variability of gas emissions at Earth's surface is a proxy for structural discontinuities in the subsurface of volcanic systems. We conducted extensive and regular spaced soil gas surveys within the Los Humeros geothermal field to improve the understanding of the structural control on fluid flow. Surveys at different scales were performed with the aim to i) identify areas of increased gas emissions (reservoir scale), ii) their relation to (un)known volcano-tectonic structures (fault scale) favoring fluid flow, and iii) determine the origin of gas emissions. Herein, we show results from a CO2 efflux scouting survey, which was performed across the main geothermal production zone (6 km x 4 km) together with soil temperature measurements. We identified five areas with increased CO2 emissions, where further sampling was performed with denser sampling grids to understand the fault zone architecture and local variations in gas emissions. CO2 efflux values range from below detection limit of the device to 1,464 g m -2 d -1 with a total output of 87 t d -1 across an area of 13.7 km 2 . Furthermore, δ 13 CCO2 and 3 He/ 4 He analyses complemented the dataset in order to assess the origin of soil gases. Carbon isotopic data cover a broad spectrum from biogenous to endogenous sources. Determined 3 He/ 4 He ratios indicate a mantle component in the samples of up to 65 % being most evident in the northwestern and southwestern part of the study area. We show that a systematic sampling approach on reservoir scale is necessary for the identification and assessment of major permeable fault segments. The combined processing of CO2 efflux and δ 13 CCO2 facilitated the detection of permeable structural segments with a connection to the deep, high-temperature geothermal reservoir, also in areas with low to intermediate CO2 emissions. The results of this study complement existing geophysical datasets and define further promising areas for future exploration activities in the north-and southwestern sector of the production field.

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“…According to these studies, the geothermal target is probably located in the basement composed of calcareous, granitic and metamorphic rocks, since the overlying volcanic rocks show intense hydrothermal alteration (López-Hernández et al, 2009;Lorenzo-Pulido et al, 2010;Peiffer et al, 2014;Canet et al, 2015). Avellán et al (2018a) have produced a geological map of Acoculco (Fig. 4).…”

Section: Acoculcomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…12. Avellán et al (2018a) using the five groups selected for the modelling. Blue triangles: location of the two wells used for modelling.…”

Section: Local Scalementioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary 3-D geological models of Los Humeros and Acoculco geothermal fields (Mexico) – H2020 GEMex Project

et al. 2018

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Abstract. As part of the GEMex Project, an on-going European-Mexican effort to develop geothermal energy from non-conventional sources, preliminary geological models have been constructed for two sites located in the easternmost region of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. The first site, Los Humeros, which has produced geothermal electricity for decades, is investigated for its probable superhot geothermal resources. The second site, Acoculco, is a less known but promising area where application of an Enhanced Geothermal System is being studied. In order to have a coherent geological interpretation of both sites, preliminary 3-D models were constructed in a collaborative manner by European and Mexican partners. These models are based on data available at the start of the project, including geological maps, cross-sections and well logs. The data were mainly provided by the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), and the Mexican Centre for Innovation in Geothermal Energy (CeMIE-Geo consortium). A regional model was developed for each site and an additional local model was constructed for Los Humeros. The preliminary geological models serve as a framework for GEMex work on heat-transport and fluid-flow simulations; they will be updated and refined during the project, using new data and interpretations from ongoing and future field work on geology, geophysics, and geochemistry.

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The Los Humeros (Mexico) geothermal field model deduced from new geophysical and geological data

Cited by 51 publications

References 36 publications

The structural architecture of the Los Humeros volcanic complex and geothermal field

The structural architecture of the Los Humeros volcanic complex and geothermal field

Magmatic volatiles to assess permeable volcano-tectonic structures in the Los Humeros geothermal field, Mexico

Preliminary 3-D geological models of Los Humeros and Acoculco geothermal fields (Mexico) – H2020 GEMex Project

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