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Feasibility study of closed-loop geothermal heat extraction concepts using reservoir simulation
Rocha, Santiago
Rocha, Santiago
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2021
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This work evaluates the feasibility of closed-loop geothermal heat extraction concepts using reservoir simulation and proposes ideal conditions to guide the development of future field-ready technologies for electricity generation. Additionally, this thesis presents alternative uses of this technology for direct use in remote communities based on abandoned petroleum wells with high reservoir temperatures. Technical analysis is presented focusing on the possible applicability of closed-loop geothermal heat extraction with available technology, identifying the parameters required to develop technologies for electricity generation. First, a base case is verified against results from published modeling studies for two closed-loop geothermal concepts including a pipe-in-pipe model and a U-shaped model. These models are developed using reservoir simulator software (CMG-STARS). Then different properties, such as, depth of the reservoir, number of laterals, reservoir temperature, type of fluid, and total production flow rate, are modified to analyze different scenarios that can benefit from Closed-Loop Geothermal (CLG) technologies. Ultimately, technical analysis is performed on all of the cases to assess the feasibility of these concepts. Results show that residence time, flow rates, reservoir temperatures, and properties of working fluids are the parameters impacting thermal outputs. Higher flow rates lead to lower surface production temperatures; however, higher mass flow rates have higher thermal energy production. On the other hand, water and supercritical carbon dioxide show fair results that are enhanced with a fluid combining water with copper nanoparticles. Direct use application may be feasible in abandoned petroleum wells that are already completed as capital investment is reduced. Electricity generation may be feasible with current technology when multiple wells feed the power plant. This thesis demonstrates that CLG is a concept that may be used for direct use application with abandoned oil and gas wells, and with further technological developments, it could also be applied for electricity generation from geothermal reservoirs without having to enhance the reservoir permeability. Additionally, it is demonstrated that reservoir simulation software can be applied to related disciplines, such as geothermal heat extraction, and that knowledge from petroleum engineering can be applied to develop alternative solutions for energy generation.
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