A modified methodology to substitute U-shape well using a single well with fracture network: Design and performance
- Author(s)
- Lin Jia, Kewen Li, Yun Han, Chi Zhang, Lipeng Zhao
- Abstract
The increasing demand for low-carbon energy has led to the exploration of renewable energy sources, including geothermal energy. One potential method for accessing this energy is through the retrofitting of abandoned oil wells into geothermal wells. While there have been some previous efforts in this area, many of these methods suffer from low efficiency or high cost. In this study, we have proposed a novel retrofitting pattern for a single well embedded with an enhanced fracture system (EFS). Using COMSOL Multiphysics, a numerical model was established to investigate the effects of different reservoir and fracture properties on the performance of EFS. Our analysis showed that it is possible to replace a U-shaped well with a single well using EFS, and that the thermal power was more than four times greater than that of conventional borehole heat exchangers over a 50-year heat extraction period. We found that fracture permeability and aperture were the two most critical parameters for achieving high heat extraction performance in EFS. EFS exhibits significantly better performance compared to the traditional open-loop geothermal system (OLGS). Based on our findings, we recommend controlling the flow rate within the range of 10–20 kg/s and pumping proppant for optimal EFS design.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Meteorology and Geophysics
- External organisation(s)
- China University of Geosciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Huayang New Material Technology Group Co., Shan Xi Hua Yang Group New Energy Co., Henan Polytechnic University
- Journal
- Geothermics
- Volume
- 117
- ISSN
- 0375-6505
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2023.102870
- Publication date
- 02-2024
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 105906 Environmental geosciences
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geology, Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/d6571087-e83f-439c-aec6-38e2a6549c53