knowledge hub

NZGW paper: Questions and challenges to be considered to address potential barriers to a superhot geothermal-powered future.

NZGW paper: The Experimental Geochemistry Laboratory at GNS Science has expanded its capabilities into the supercritical pressure-temperature region.

NZGW paper: Exploring the superhot geothermal opportunity - a resource inventory for onshore NZ geothermal prospects and an electricity market modelling study.

NZGW paper: Summarising the findings and new models of the GNG programme with a focus on exploration.

NZGW paper: 3D forward and inverse modelling of gravity data from Wairākei, Tauhara and Rotokawa geothermal fields were undertaken to reconcile geological models with geophysical observations.

NZGW paper: exploring the effects of additional NCG reinjection on key reservoir parameters through a comprehensive modelling study for Ngāwhā field.

NZGW paper: Quantitative insights into mineral reactions, geochemical processes and geothermal reservoir response at Ngā Tamariki under various NCG reinjection conditions.

Are the existing regulatory frameworks under the Resource Management Act 1991 set up to effectively manage superhot geothermal development?

A high level overview of the anticipated resource consent requirements to establish a deep, superhot geothermal power generation operation in the Taupō Volcanic Zone.

GRC paper: assessing fracture characteristics and permeability as a function of greywacke rock types interpreted from a borehole resistivity image.

GRC paper: In the Waiwhatu Project we created five new kupu (words) in Te Reo Māori (Māori language) relating to geothermal.

GRC paper: investigating the potential of supercritical geothermal - summary of two important assessments for NZ: resource inventory, and economic modelling.

Presentation at the Indigenous Geothermal Symposium, Hawaii, October 2024. Showcasing Māori engagement activities and opportunities in the GNG programme.

The solubility of anhydrite in deionized water has been determined experimentally from 380˚C to 625˚C and 220 bar to 270 bar. Anhydrite solubility has not been previously well-defined in this region.

IIGCE conference paper: The model calibration process aimed to simulate the reinjection history of the well using integrated geochemical and flow modelling.

A study that explores the evolution of geothermal reservoirs.

A preliminary inventory assessment and initial quantification of New Zealand’s supercritical (>374°C, >220 bar) and/or superhot (>374°C) geothermal resources, at potentially drillable depths.

Standford Workshop paper 2024: utilising numerical models to assess the carbon storage potential in a hypothetical geothermal reservoir and the possible risks.

A 2D numerical models of bulk heat and water transport from the mid-crust (10 km depth) to the surface in a 20 km-wide continental rift, based on observations from the Taupō Rift, NZ.

To investigate the thermal structure, we estimate the depth to base of magnetic sources, using an updated compilation of magnetic data.

NZGW paper: a reactive transport modelling study to provide information about the deep geochemical processes that occur during fluid circulation within the reservoir.

NZGW paper: overview of research to help reduce GHG emissions by creating processes that will enable trapping gases, while boosting the fluid production from geothermal resources.

NZGW Paper: This 2D model describes the complete hydrothermal system underlying the geothermal systems and its principal geological controls.

NZGW paper: forecasting production output of wells with feeds accessing supercritical fluids and characterising the fluid flow and energy at the wellhead.

NZGW Slides - Simulation of Ultra hot IDDP Wells in Iceland

NZGW paper: Assessment of fractures in a deep well in the Kawerau Geothermal Field, providing the deepest direct fracture data set for analysis as part of our supercritical research programme.

NZGW paper: seeking to estimate the possible production capacity of a supercritical well. Thermal and exergetic power are computed and compared.

NZGW slides: estimating the possible production capacity of a supercritical well compared to subcritical well outputs.

Slides from a presentation at the 45th NZ Geothermal Workshop: Breakfast Forum.

This report evaluates the economic opportunity for supercritical geothermal in Aotearoa New Zealand.

GRC paper: Wellbore modelling to estimate the potential production of a supercritical geothermal well, and characterising fluid and energy flows.

Presentation slides from GRC 2023: Characterisation of Supercritical Fluid Production in Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) through Wellbore Modelling and Simulation

GRC paper: presentation of some science results from the GNG programme and discussion on future challenges

World Geothermal Congress, paper 255: a supercritical geothermal research programme’s approach to stakeholder engagement and communication, and lessons learned.

Presentation slides from World Geothermal Congress 2023.

World Geothermal Congress, paper 208: end uses and processes that might need to be scoped in seeking to better refine the future utilisation of ultra-hot geothermal energy.

Presentation slides from World Geothermal Congress 2023.

World Geothermal Congress, paper 258: explores planning and regulatory frameworks applicable for exploratory drilling of a deep geothermal wells.

Presentation slides from the World Geothermal Congress.

World Geothermal Congress, paper 604: approaches and processes for developing a supercritical geothermal inventory.

Presentation slides from the World Geothermal Congress.

World Geothermal Congress, paper 1038: programme overview

Presentation slides from World Geothermal Congress 2023.

World Geothermal Congress, paper 333: international ultra-hot projects, seeking to share knowledge acquired, inform interested parties and direct future enquiry.

Poster presented at the Water-Rock Interaction conference in Japan (August 2023).

Conference abstract for a poster presented at the Water-Rock Interaction conference (Japan, August 2023)

Conference abstract from Water-Rock Interaction conference (Japan, August 2023).

New Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) codes that model fractures and associated fluid flow in 2-D at reservoir scales to represent typical rock types found in TVZ reservoirs.

Explorng the dynamic interface between TVZ magmatic and geothermal systems using oxygen isotopes.

New mineralogical, whole rock geochemical, O, Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic, and U-Pb zircon age data from lava-hosted xenoliths and ignimbrite-hosted lithics.

Report identifies the resource consents likely required by the planning framework established under RMA for the drilling and testing of a ~6km deep geothermal well in the TVZ.

This work explores the precipitation/dissolution behaviour of basalt in water under supercritical conditions (400 °C and 502 bar).

Output forecasts for 4500-6000m deep geothermal well configurations in the TVZ across reservoir temperatures 450-600C.

Investigating quartz solubility data in supercritical temperature and pressure conditions.

Tracking magmatic degassing in the crust using a study of the composition of New Zealand's deep magmatic fluids.

Slides from a presentation at the 2022 IAPWS Workshop.

Slides from a presentation at the 2022 IAPWS Workshop.

Slides from a presentation at the 2022 IAPWS Workshop.

Slides from a presentation at the 2022 IAPWS Workshop.

Slides from a presentation at the 2022 IAPWS Workshop.

Slides from a presentation at the 2022 IAPWS Workshop.

IAWPS 2022 workshop programme

Slides from a presentation at the 2022 IAPWS Symposium on supercritical and sub-critical geothermal steam chemistry.

Slides from a presentation at the 2022 IAPWS Symposium on supercritical and sub-critical geothermal steam chemistry.

Slides from a presentation at the 2022 IAPWS Symposium on supercritical and sub-critical geothermal steam chemistry.

Slides from a presentation at the 2022 IAPWS Symposium on supercritical and sub-critical geothermal steam chemistry.

Slides from a presentation at the 2022 IAPWS Symposium on supercritical and sub-critical geothermal steam chemistry.

Slides from a presentation at the 2022 IAPWS Symposium on supercritical and sub-critical geothermal steam chemistry.

Slides and a video presentation from the 2022 IAPWS Symposium on supercritical and sub-critical geothermal steam chemistry.

Video presentation from the 2022 IAPWS Symposium on supercritical and sub-critical geothermal steam chemistry.

Video presentation from the 2022 IAPWS Symposium on supercritical and sub-critical geothermal steam chemistry.

Video presentation from the 2022 IAPWS Symposium on supercritical and sub-critical geothermal steam chemistry.

Slides from a presentation at the 2022 IAPWS Symposium on supercritical and sub-critical geothermal steam chemistry.

IAPWS 2022 Symposium Programme

Considering links between voluminous silicic magmatism and large-scale hydrothermal circulation in New Zealand's central Taupō Volcanic Zone (TVZ).

A hydrothermal-geochemical modelling study, matching a detailed laboratory simulation of basalt-water interaction.

NZGW 2022 paper - A study of processes enabling GHG entrapment, especially CO2, in solid form while boosting energy production from geothermal resources.

NZGW 2022 paper - Reactive transport modelling to match the results of detailed laboratory simulations of the interactions between tholeiitic basalt and distilled de-oxygenated water.

NZGW 2022 conference paper examining current business venture arrangements of large geothermal operations (electricity and process heat) in New Zealand.

This NZGW 2022 conference paper provides an update on the main objectives, relevance, future linkages, and the initial results three years into this challenging and strategic scientific endeavour.

A study of the transport and degassing pathways of volatiles through large silicic magmatic systems.

Flow-through experiments were conducted in the temperature range of 200–400°C, and in presence of a New Zealand greywacke rock substrate to evaluate the thermal behaviour of rhenium and indium.

Geothermal: The Next Generation Science Webinar. 14 March 2022.

An excerpt from a keynote presentation at the 2021 NZ Geothermal Workshop (in early 2022)

A presentation at the 2021 NZ Geothermal Workshop (in early 2022).

Preliminary results of the interaction between supercritical water and greywacke rocks under supercritical conditions was presented at 2021 NZ Geothermal Workshop (in early 2022).

This conference paper, from the 2021 NZ Geothermal Workshop (run in early 2022), outlines preparatory and pre-planning work for drilling a supercritical exploration well.

A presentation delivered at the 2021 (in early 2022) NZ Geothermal Workshop.

A presentation delivered at the 2021 (in early 2022) NZ Geothermal Workshop.

A procedure for merging processed gridded airborne and shipborne magnetic data to produce the first integrated TMI grid and magnetic data compilation for the upper North Island.

A 2-pager explaining carbon dioxide reinjection (also known as NCG reinjection and CO2 sequestration) in geothermal systems.

This report provides two geological prognoses to inform well design for supercritical wells.

Sharing geothermal's advantages, and introducing supercritical geothermal.

An overview of the planning and regulatory framework relating to the existing development and use of conventional geothermal resources in New Zealand.

A discussion on the hazards of encountering shallow pockets of “covert”magma during geothermal drilling campaigns at three volcanoes.

This conference paper was published in the Proceedings of the World Geothermal Congress 2020+1

A video of this conference presentation from the World Geothermal Congress 2020+1

Review of the geological aspects controlling success in geothermal well targeting in intermediate to high-temperature geothermal systems.

A review and analysis of worldwide reinjection experience.

Summarising characteristics of high-temperature geothermal systems and their fluids, and how and why supercritical fluids could be a way forward for future energy needs.