ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT: As exploration for the enhanced geothermal system (EGS) focused on blind hidden reserves, precise characterization and modelling of the subsurface formation at the potential development sites are essential for a meaningful assessment of the energy production potential. This paper focuses on determining the best performance of an EGS in the state of Nevada by optimizing the factors that control the production and performance of the EGS. This study considered a number of factors to find the most realistic and optimal operating parameters for the EGS to maximize its production potential. “Discrete Fracture Network” (DFN) approach was used to understand fracture characteristics. A feasibility study of the system has been conducted using the extended Gringarten model with existing borehole data. DFN simulations were performed using the FracMan (Golder Associates’s software) software to investigate the effects of various process parameters, like fracture aperture size, fracture transmissibility, and dynamic permeability to optimize the production performance of the EGS. The most optimal position of wells in the EGS has also been studied. The findings of this study may increase the commercialization potential of enhanced geothermal energy (EGE) for electrical power generation and other uses like direct use of it, heat pumps or cascade applications.

Keywords:
hydraulic fracturing, Fluid Dynamics, fracture area, mean pole trend, complex reservoir, orientation, fracture network, Artificial Intelligence, Upstream Oil & Gas, aperture
Subjects:
Hydraulic Fracturing, Reservoir Fluid Dynamics, Unconventional and Complex Reservoirs, Non-Traditional Resources, Flow in porous media, Naturally-fractured reservoirs, Geothermal resources
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2018. American Rock Mechanics Association
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