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Impacts of fracture network geometries on numerical simulation and performance prediction of enhanced geothermal systems

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  • Liu, Gang
  • Zhou, Chunwei
  • Rao, Zhenghua
  • Liao, Shengming

Abstract

The effects of fracture distribution on the heat extraction performance of enhanced geothermal system (EGS) are very significant. Referring to lots of EGS fracturing projects, the fractures around wellbore are denser than other regions in fracture reservoir. Therefore, it is essential to understand the link between the thermal exploitation of EGS and fracture distributions around injection wells. We built a three-dimensional thermal-hydrologic (TH) coupling model to simulate thermal energy transfer and pressure distribution in reservoir. Taking Qiabuqia geothermal field as a case study, the impacts of fracture morphology (like length, quantity, position and complexity) on heat extraction are compared. The contributions of fracture networks’ aperture and permeability are also investigated. Results indicate that denser fracture network significantly improves heat extraction performance and extends system lifetime. Longer primary fracture length around injection wells decreases mass flow rate of working fluid and elevates fluid temperature at the exhausts of production wells. The non-uniform distribution of the primary fracture has negative effects on EGS performance. More complex and connected fractures lead to fluid loss, and larger fracture aperture and permeability decrease mass flow rate at the outlet of production wells.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:171:y:2021:i:c:p:492-504
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.02.070
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Li, Xinxin & Li, Chengyu & Gong, Wenping & Zhang, Yanjie & Wang, Junchao, 2023. "Probabilistic analysis of heat extraction performance in enhanced geothermal system based on a DFN-based modeling scheme," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PC).
    2. Xiang Gao & Tailu Li & Yao Zhang & Xiangfei Kong & Nan Meng, 2022. "A Review of Simulation Models of Heat Extraction for a Geothermal Reservoir in an Enhanced Geothermal System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-23, September.
    3. Wentao Zhao & Yilong Yuan & Tieya Jing & Chenghao Zhong & Shoucheng Wei & Yulong Yin & Deyuan Zhao & Haowei Yuan & Jin Zheng & Shaomin Wang, 2023. "Heat Production Performance from an Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) Using CO 2 as the Working Fluid," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-16, October.
    4. 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.
    5. Zheng, Jun & Li, Peng & Dou, Bin & Fan, Tao & Tian, Hong & Lai, Xiaotian, 2022. "Impact research of well layout schemes and fracture parameters on heat production performance of enhanced geothermal system considering water cooling effect," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    6. Liang, Xu & Xu, Tianfu & Chen, Jingyi & Jiang, Zhenjiao, 2023. "A deep-learning based model for fracture network characterization constrained by induced micro-seismicity and tracer test data in enhanced geothermal system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    7. Cao, Wenjiong & Huang, Wenbo & Chen, Juanwen & Li, Zhibin & Jiang, Fangming, 2023. "Numerical study on the heat extraction performance of enhanced geothermal systems with a well-fracture-reservoir combined model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 370-380.
    8. Xue, Zhenqian & Zhang, Kai & Zhang, Chi & Ma, Haoming & Chen, Zhangxin, 2023. "Comparative data-driven enhanced geothermal systems forecasting models: A case study of Qiabuqia field in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).

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