Optimizing Hydraulic Fracturing Techniques for Horizontal Well Applications in Enhanced Geothermal Systems

Abstract

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source that can be found in abundance on our planet. Only a small fraction of it is currently converted to electrical power, though in recent years installed geothermal capacity has increased considerably all over the world. In this research, we assumed a model for designing of Enhanced Geothermal System, EGS. We used Computer-Modeling Group, CMG reservoir simulation software to create the typical Hot Dry Rock, HDR reservoir. Two wells one injection of cold water and one production of hot water are installed in the model with three different surface water injection rates. There are some hydraulic fractures are created by the mentioned software. Three different hydraulic fracturing half-length are assumed. The different fracturing half-length and surface water injection rate considered in order to evaluate the sufficient energy production. As a result, the energy production rate, thermal breakthrough and hot water production rate are defined. The aforementioned results are illustrated by some graphs, charts and tables. In this research the production of energy is quantified in a period of 10 years.