Research on geothermal development model of abandoned high temperature oil reservoir in North China oilfield

As a green, low-carbon and renewable energy, the geothermal energy has attracted great attentions. Abundant geothermal resources are hosted in several depleted oilfields. Geothermal development in abandoned oilfields has its advantages that operators are familiar with the geographic environment, geological conditions, and drilling and development techniques in the oilfield. In this study, a thermo-hydro- mechanical multi-field coupling mathematical model was established with data from Liubei Buried Hill reservoir in North China Oilfield. Then, the geothermal development in abandoned high-temperature oilfields was simulated, and the sensitivity of the geothermal development effect to well patterns, fracturing conditions, and working media was analyzed. The results show that the well pattern of one-injector and four-producer leads to the largest heat-exchange area. The hydraulic fracture model causes earlier thermal breakthrough but produces more heat than the non-fractured model. CO2 has the better working fluid performance and leads to the better geothermal development effect than water. This study provides a theoretical basis for the high-efficiency development of geothermal energy in abandoned oilfields, and a guidance for research on geothermal development model and fracturing design. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Geothermal energy, as a green, low-carbon, and renewable energy, has attracted great attention, especially in abandoned oilfields. This study established a mathematical model to simulate geothermal development in high-temperature oilfields and found that factors such as well patterns, fracturing conditions, and working media affect the geothermal development effect.