Loss of well productivity due to the formation of minerals blocking permeable channels, is a common problem in geothermal fields.

This commercially applicable research has enabled visualisation of subsurface processes, addressing common production issues such as:

• How quickly do clays form?
• Are the clays responsible for blocking voids?
• How quickly are the voids blocking up?
• How many voids remain unblocked at any given time?
• Is there preferential formation of clays around crystals, on crystals, in voids?
• Do all stratigraphic units promote clay formation or are some rock units more susceptible to clay formation?

Being able to see hydrothermal alteration relationships and their time-sequence events, allows us to make informed decisions as to the suitability of host formations for injection and/or production.