Geothermal Exploration, Drill and System Development in the Ilan Plain( I )

The geothermal resource is abundant in Northeran Taiwan especially in Ilan Plain due to theeffect of igneous backarc spreading activity of Okinawa Trough and Datun Volcano area ofvolcanic geothermal having high temperature for geothermal power potential, but with acidcorrosion problems. Since 2006, ITRI carried out a successive program: "Geothermal powergeneration technology development plan" for the ChinShui geothermal field. Intensive exploration,drilling and power generation technology are developed, which makes the area as the mostpromissing geothermal resource region of Taiwan. National Science Council from 1999 alsocontributed to ChinShui geothermal theoretical researches, and even extended to the deepgeothermal. The data collection of geothermal geology and magnetotelluric has been reviewed since2013. Based on completed investigations and research findings, this project proposes the "NorthernTaiwan Geothermal Drilling Project", selects available areas to drill four deep wells. The Ilan plainis the main place to drill at the first and second stage . At the first stage(2014~2016), we have drilled2 wells at SanSin HongChaiLin area. The formation layers of HsueiSan Range were dilled. Thisyear’s proposal is for the second stage. We propose two independent wells at the LoTung area,concentrate on drilling into two major faults. The formation layers of Central Mountain Range areexpected.An experienced drill company will be invited to drill these 2,000~3,000 meters wells andexpected to coring at the changes of formation as suggested by field geologists used to study variousparameters of the reservoir layer. The necessary well loggings are also measured. After well drillingis completed, another invited project will direct the production testing and fluid sampling andanalysis on the side of wellhead to determine the geothermal power production capacity and features,as the basis for generating factory design. The removed cores will be analyzed to understand thereservoir lithology, temperature, current stress, fluid composition and mineral fouling, etc., toprovide various parameters for construction and operation of a 1~3MWe geothermal power plant.Based on the superior geothermal characteristics of the Ilan Plain, the project develops thedeep geothermal drilling and related researches. This might take the geothermal development in theIlan Plain a firm forward step.