Geothermal Energy Extraction From Decommissioned

Petroleum Wells
Authors
S. A. Ghoreishi-Madiseh (McGill University) | J. Templeton (McGill University) | F.
Hassani (McGill University) | M. J. Al-Khawaja(Qatar University) | E.
Aflaki (Amirkabir University of Technology)
Document ID
ISRM-ARMS8-2014-310
Publisher
International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
Source
ISRM International Symposium - 8th Asian Rock Mechanics Symposium, 14-16
October, Sapporo, Japan
Publication Date
2014

Abstract

Abandoned wells impose enduring liabilities to petroleum companies and/or governments.

However, the depth and abundance of abandoned petroleum wells make them an
economically attractive source of geothermal energy. Geothermal energy can be harvested
from oil/gas wells and used to generate electricity, used directly for heating, incorporated into
water desalination processes, or used by heat pumps for heating/cooling applications.

The present research work examines the possibility of extracting geothermal energy from
abandoned oil/gas wells by studying the heat transfer in underground geothermal heat
exchangers installed in these wells. A double-pipe design configuration is chosen for the
geothermal heat exchanger units embedded inside a petroleum borehole. Using in-situ
gathered information, the effects of key parameters such as geothermal gradient, ground
temperature values, and the flow inside of the tubes are evaluated. In order to provide a
constant power production the inlet temperature it is proposed to adjust the temperature of the
inlet fluid, so that that the difference between outlet and inlet temperatures is kept at a
desirable value. Effect of adding insulation jacket on the inner pipe of the geothermal heat
ground exchanger is studied.

It is found that the sustainability of long term geothermal heat extraction depends on the
balance between the rate at which geothermal energy is extracted and the rate at which the
ground formation can replace its geothermal heat content. The results suggest that abandoned
petroleum wells can be economically reused for the purpose of sustainable geothermal energy
production.
Development Scenarios for Geothermal Energy in the
Caribbean
Authors
J Rajnauth (Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago)
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2118/180876-MS
Document ID
SPE-180876-MS
Publisher
Society of Petroleum Engineers
Source
SPE Trinidad and Tobago Section Energy Resources Conference, 13-15 June,
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Publication Date
2016

Abstract

Geothermal energy is the heat energy within the Earth, often manifested in geysers, hot
springs and volcanoes. It offers an energy source that is far more efficient than fossil-fueled
power generation, and it doesn't emit greenhouse gases into the air. Geothermal energy can
therefore be very useful in generating electricity however; it currently plays a limited role in the
electricity sector. Despite the many challenges to develop geothermal energy presently, future
development can contribute significantly to a region's electricity portfolio, thereby decreasing
customer costs of electricity, providing a potentially clean resource for power generation and
creating a new resource economy.

This paper evaluates the development opportunities for geothermal energy in the Caribbean
with focus on main territories with potential geothermal resources. One of the main challenges
to producing electricity from geothermal energy is the source of high temperature reservoirs
near the Earth's surface. Such resources are rare since heat supply is normally encountered
very deep in the earth's subsurface therefore resulting in many geothermal reservoirs being
technologically or economically unfeasible to exploit.

In the Caribbean, however there are high-temperature reservoirs that are located close enough
to the Earth's surface, making them feasible to exploit and be potentially viable. The Lesser
Antilles islands arc in the Caribbean have been largely built by volcanism above a subduction
zone. As the Atlantic Plate is being sub-ducted under the Caribbean Plate, it gives rise to
active volcanoes making for very attractive geothermal energy exploitation. The data from
these estimated resources potential was used to determine development strategies for
extracting thermal energy for power generation.

The methodology can involve the use of technology from the oil and gas sector to explore for
economically geothermal resources with sufficient high temperatures to warrant development.
These include drilling exploration wells, development wells and evaluating reservoir potential.
The analysis shows that development of geothermal energy in the Caribbean with a vast clean
resource potential should clearly be considered given the future increases in demand for power
generation in the region and the potential to become energy self-sufficient. The potentially
lower cost of electricity generation from geothermal energy can mean significant savings for
customers in the region.

The various concepts, techniques, methods and technologies used in evaluating and drilling for
hydrocarbon, can be successfully used in drilling exploration and development wells for
producing thermal energy from the volcanic islands for electricity generation.