Exploring the Depths: Geothermal Geochemistry Course
This 4-day Geothermal Course will enhance your understanding of the geochemical aspects of geothermal systems.
Taupō, New Zealand, 18th - 21st November 2023
We're proud to deliver a new geothermal educational programme.
Taking place in Taupō, New Zealand, this 4-day course is a uniquely located opportunity to study the chemical composition and behaviour of fluids and gases associated with geothermal systems.
The course will cover a range of geothermal geochemistry topics including,
- the sampling and analysis of geothermal fluids and gases,
- interpretation of geochemical data,
- understanding the chemical processes occurring in geothermal reservoirs, and their implications for geothermal energy exploration and production.
Designed for scientists, researchers, and energy industry professionals.
Participants will enhance their understanding of the geochemical aspects of geothermal systems.
The course aims to enable participants to make informed decisions and contribute to the efficient and sustainable utilisation of geothermal resources.
The course will actively foster discussions and networking among participants to create a collaborative learning environment.
The course will enrol 13 - 20 participants. The programme schedule is subject to change. Learn more about the programme, travel information and presenters below.
Programme
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DAY 1: Introduction to geochemistry in geothermal exploration
Participants will learn from GNS specialists about the application of geochemical tools to the investigation and characterisation of geothermal systems.
Enthalpy calculations, geothermometry and isotope techniques will be covered as well as an introductory overview of geothermal development in New Zealand.
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DAY 2: Application of geochemistry during geothermal production
This day will focus on the use of geochemical techniques during power station and reservoir management. This includes coverage of scaling and corrosion management, as well as water-rock interaction processes in the reservoir.
We will also give an overview of the world-leading water-rock interaction experimental apparatus used at GNS and cover some of the applications of these experiments, including for reservoir CO2 reinjection.
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DAY 3: Geochemical sampling, data analysis and geothermal power station tour
This day we will spend the morning covering geochemical sampling and data analysis, and work through example datasets in order to apply the techniques learnt in the first 2 days.
In the afternoon, we will visit a New Zealand geothermal power station for a site tour.
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DAY 4: Implementation of geochemistry in reservoir modelling and Kuirau Park site visit
On the final day participants will learn about the implementation of geochemistry into the reservoir modelling tools that underpin geothermal development.
In the afternoon, we will visit Rotorua for a tour of the spectacular natural features at Kuirau Park, where we will learn about the history of geothermal resource use in Rotorua, and the geochemistry of natural systems in relation to geothermal resources.
Registration Information
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Registration
Register here: https://www.gns.cri.nz/about-us/jogmec(external link)(external link)
- Limited number of spaces available (13 - 20 participants)
- Registration closes on the 31 October 2023
- A follow-up email from GNS Science will direct participants to a private billing form which will confirm your placement on the course.
- If you would like to pay by credit card please click here https://shop.gns.cri.nz/ggc_2023/(external link)”
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Course Costs
NZ$ 7,750 per person
Includes the course fee, shuttle bus from/to Auckland city, site visits, lunch and coffee breaks during the course, and Monday night dinner.
Not included: Accommodation, breakfast, dinner, international flights, travel insurance or specific medical costs are not covered.
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Payment
- If you would like to pay by credit card please click here https://shop.gns.cri.nz/ggc_2023/(external link)(external link)”
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New Zealand Geothermal Workshop
Participants are encouraged to attend the New Zealand Geothermal Workshop(external link)(external link) from 15 - 17th November 2023 in Auckland.
A shuttle bus will be arranged at the New Zealand Geothermal Workshop to meet with the rest of this course's participants in Auckland to take the shuttle bus together to Taupō.
Travel Information
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Arrival and Transport
On Friday 17 November at 3pm please meet at,
The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Auckland(external link), 20 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010
to catch a long-distance bus from Auckland to Taupō at the following location
On the morning of Saturday 18 November please meet at,
Suncourt Hotel(external link), 14 Northcroft Street in Taupō
On Tuesday 21 November at 5pm after the course,
After the visit to Kuirau Park, Rotorua, participants will be transported to Auckland airport via shuttle bus. Participants are responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements for the evening of Tuesday, 21st November. There are hotel options available near the airport and in Auckland city.
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Accommodation
Participants are responsible for their own accommodation in Taupō. Accommodation is not included in this cost.
The organisers have arranged the following two accommodation options.
1．Suncourt Hotel, 14 Northcroft Street, Taupō, New Zealand
reception@suncourt.co.nz / +64 7 378 8265
https://suncourt.nz/(external link)
Located at the same place as the course venue.2．Beechtree Motel, 56 Rifle Range Road, Taupō New Zealand
stay@beechtreemotel.co.nz / +64 7 377 0181
https://beechtreemotel.co.nz/(external link)
The venue is only a few minutes' walk away.
Presenter: Bruce has over 20 years of experience working in geothermal geochemistry for GNS. As the founder and current leader of the Experimental Geochemistry Lab, he conducts bespoke high pressure and temperature water-rock interaction experiments for both industry clients and academic purposes. He has over 40 publications in the areas of geothermal and hydrothermal chemistry, mineralisation and geomicrobiology research.
Presenter: David is a gas geochemist, specialising in the use of noble gas isotopes to investigate subsurface fluid systems. He completed his PhD at the University of Oxford before working as a PostDoc in Nancy, France, before joining GNS in July 2022. David's academic contributions include publications on the Icelandic and Yellowstone geothermal systems. At GNS, he is working on understanding the fate of CO2 in geothermal systems.
Presenter: Brad is a volcanologist with over 45 years experience monitoring geothermal systems and volcanoes in NZ. He has been part of the team working on the recovery of the Rotorua Geothermal System and monitoring of the Waimangu system. Brad will lead the field trip to look at the variety of surface features seen in Rotorua City.
Presenter: James is a specialist in the use of reservoir modelling to investigate the behaviour of geothermal reservoirs, using a variety of industry standard software packages. His background in academic research focused on the use of computational techniques to model thermo-hydro-mechanical controls on natural convection in faults and fractures, and he is currently working at GNS on a variety of projects, including the incorporation of geochemical constraints into reservoir models. James will be leading the part of the course focused on computational techniques in geothermal geochemistry.