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A thermo-hydro-mechanical model of a hot dry rock geothermal reservoir

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  • Aliyu, Musa D.
  • Archer, Rosalind A.

Abstract

With sufficient data and the appropriate modelling tools, it is possible to replicate the real-life behaviour of geothermal systems. Modelling tools could guide geologists, engineers and decision-makers in developing an optimal design for these systems. In order to explore the effectiveness of the modelling techniques, this paper presents a new three-dimensional (3D) numerical model of a hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal reservoir using coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes. The model is implemented in the COMSOL Multiphysics Finite Element (FE) solver, and its reliability is confirmed by conducting a validation study using field measurements from the Fenton Hill Phase I HDR system in New Mexico. After confirming the model's reliability, two case studies are analysed to determine the different factors affecting reservoir performance during exploitation. The factors analysed for the two cases are wellbore alignment and placement, using single and multiple planar fracture HDR system configurations. The results show that wellbore alignment does not affect changes in fracture properties and reservoir productivity. Wellbore placement, however, is found to affect reservoir performance significantly. The simulation analysis performed shows that knowledge of injection/production wellbore placement could be a significant asset to reservoir engineers/managers during the planning, exploration, design, and exploitation stages.

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  • Aliyu, Musa D. & Archer, Rosalind A., 2021. "A thermo-hydro-mechanical model of a hot dry rock geothermal reservoir," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 475-493.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:176:y:2021:i:c:p:475-493
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.05.070
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aliyu, Musa D. & Chen, Hua-Peng, 2017. "Sensitivity analysis of deep geothermal reservoir: Effect of reservoir parameters on production temperature," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 101-113.
    2. Aliyu, Musa D. & Chen, Hua-Peng, 2018. "Enhanced geothermal system modelling with multiple pore media: Thermo-hydraulic coupled processes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(PA), pages 931-948.
    3. Davis, Adelina P. & Michaelides, Efstathios E., 2009. "Geothermal power production from abandoned oil wells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(7), pages 866-872.
    4. Xu, Haoran & Cheng, Jingru & Zhao, Zhihong & Lin, Tianyi & Liu, Guihong & Chen, Sicong, 2021. "Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical modeling on acid fracturing in carbonatite geothermal reservoirs containing a heterogeneous fracture," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 145-157.
    5. Liu, Gang & Zhou, Chunwei & Rao, Zhenghua & Liao, Shengming, 2021. "Impacts of fracture network geometries on numerical simulation and performance prediction of enhanced geothermal systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 492-504.
    6. Aliyu, Musa D. & Chen, Hua-Peng, 2017. "Optimum control parameters and long-term productivity of geothermal reservoirs using coupled thermo-hydraulic process modelling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 151-165.
    7. Aliyu, Musa D. & Archer, Rosalind A., 2021. "Numerical simulation of multifracture HDR geothermal reservoirs," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 541-555.
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    Cited by:

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    5. Zhao, Peng & Liu, Jun & Elsworth, Derek, 2023. "Numerical study on a multifracture enhanced geothermal system considering matrix permeability enhancement induced by thermal unloading," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 33-44.

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