Economic Study of Geothermal Steam Production and Power Generation

This report presents the results of the study to determine the required selling price of geothermal flash steam in order for Phillips Petroleum Company to obtain a rate of return on investment of 10, 15 or 20% on its discovery in Nevada. The economic evaluations are based on an order-of-magnitude type of estimate of capital costs for the flash steam production, steam gathering and brine reinjection system to supply steam to a 55 MW (Gross) geothermal power generating plant, using mixed pressure (double flash steam) and turbine design. Geothermal well costs, brine quality and well productivity data were provided by Phillips Petroleum Company and are based on the discovery wells in Nevada. Power plant costs are based on current technology and available hardware, under construction at the present time. Costs have been escalated to 1977