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Techno-Economic Evaluation of Geothermal Energy Utilization of Co-Produced Water from Natural Gas Production

Author

Listed:
  • Lianzhong Sun

    (State Key Laboratory of Deep Geothermal Resources, Beijing 102206, China
    Sinopec Key Laboratory of Geothermal Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Hongyu Xiao

    (State Key Laboratory of Deep Geothermal Resources, Beijing 102206, China
    Sinopec Key Laboratory of Geothermal Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Beijing 102206, China
    State Key Lab of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China)

  • Zheng Chu

    (State Key Laboratory of Deep Geothermal Resources, Beijing 102206, China
    Sinopec Key Laboratory of Geothermal Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Lin Qiao

    (The First Natural Gas Production Plant, Sinopec Southwest Oil/Gas Company, Deyang 618000, China)

  • Yingqiang Yang

    (No. 1 Gas Production Plant, Xinjiang Oilfield Company, CNPC, Karamay 834011, China)

  • Lei Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Deep Geothermal Resources, Beijing 102206, China
    Sinopec Key Laboratory of Geothermal Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Wenzhong Tian

    (The First Natural Gas Production Plant, Sinopec Southwest Oil/Gas Company, Deyang 618000, China)

  • Yinhui Zuo

    (State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

  • Ting Li

    (School of Ecomomics and Management, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China)

  • Haijun Tang

    (School of Ecomomics and Management, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China)

  • Liping Chen

    (State Key Laboratory of Deep Geothermal Resources, Beijing 102206, China
    Sinopec Key Laboratory of Geothermal Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Beijing 102206, China
    State Key Lab of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China)

  • Dong Xiao

    (State Key Laboratory of Deep Geothermal Resources, Beijing 102206, China
    Sinopec Key Laboratory of Geothermal Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Beijing 102206, China
    State Key Lab of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China)

Abstract

The utilization of thermal energy from co-produced water during natural gas production offers a promising pathway to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. This study proposes a techno-economic evaluation model to assess the feasibility and profitability of geothermal energy recovery from co-produced water in marginal gas wells. A wellbore fluid flow and heat transfer model is developed and validated against field data, with deviations in calculated wellhead temperature and pressure within 10%, demonstrating the model’s reliability. Sensitivity analyses are conducted to investigate the influence of key technical and economic parameters on project performance. The results show that electricity price, heat price, and especially government one-off subsidies have a significant impact on the net present value (NPV), whereas the effects of insulation length and annular fluid thermal conductivity are comparatively limited. Under optimal conditions—including 2048 m of insulated tubing, annular protection fluid with a thermal conductivity of 0.4 W/(m·°C), a 30% increase in heat and electricity prices, and a 30% government capital subsidy—the project breaks even in the 14th year, with the 50-year NPV reaching 0.896 M$. This study provides a practical framework for evaluating and optimizing geothermal energy recovery from co-produced water, offering guidance for future sustainable energy development.

Suggested Citation

  • Lianzhong Sun & Hongyu Xiao & Zheng Chu & Lin Qiao & Yingqiang Yang & Lei Wang & Wenzhong Tian & Yinhui Zuo & Ting Li & Haijun Tang & Liping Chen & Dong Xiao, 2025. "Techno-Economic Evaluation of Geothermal Energy Utilization of Co-Produced Water from Natural Gas Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-31, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:14:p:3766-:d:1702824
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    References listed on IDEAS

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