Field characterization for HDR/HWR: a review

Field characterization for HDR/HWR entails a number of studies in various a cademic fields prior to, or at the initial stage of HDR/HWR development. Al though guidelines are not yet well defined, field characterization will be important for the efficient progress of HDR/HWR research on both a laborato ry and field scale. The decision might be taken to stop a project based on new knowledge obtained during development in order to minimize the total ri sk of the project. This paper is an overview of field characterization in H DR/HDR research throughout the world since 1982. The HDR/HWR field experime nts, temperature of the targets, regional and local geology, evaluation of fracture distribution in the exploration stage, and geochemistry for reserv oir maintenance, will all be reviewed. (C) 1999 CNR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.