Advanced geothermal energy storage systems by repurposing existing oil and gas wells: A full-scale experimental and numerical investigation

A comprehensive review of deep borehole heat exchangers (DBHEs): subsurface modelling studies and applications

“…of additional practical difficulties are introduced, including: water chemistry, residues of and gas (fugitive methane, explosion risk), insufficient diameter at base and in-hole obstructions (casing hangers, pumps, pipework, packers, etc.). Portland cement which is used in plugging low-temperature hydrocarbon reservoirs, might not withstand high temperatures when abandoned wells are repurposed for geothermal applications (Jello and Baser 2023). Extensive feasibility, operational, economic and environmental analyses are required on a per well basis to enable repurposing of hydrocarbon wells (Jello and Baser 2023).…”

“…Portland cement which is used in plugging low-temperature hydrocarbon reservoirs, might not withstand high temperatures when abandoned wells are repurposed for geothermal applications (Jello and Baser 2023). Extensive feasibility, operational, economic and environmental analyses are required on a per well basis to enable repurposing of hydrocarbon wells (Jello and Baser 2023).…”

Techno-Economic Analysis and Market Potential of Geological Thermal Energy Storage (GeoTES) Charged With Solar Thermal and Heat Pumps Into Depleted Oil/Gas Reservoirs and Shallow Reservoirs: A Technology Overview

“…This framework, shown in Figure 2 consists of sub-models for (1) reservoir simulation, (2) wellbore simulation, (3) injection/production pumping calculations, (4) surface gathering line sizing, (5) capital cost estimation and (5) field operation and maintenance cost estimation. Past works on GeoTES have utilized simple rectangular reservoir grid models with the storage reservoir sandwiched between an overburden (caprock) and underburden (basal rock) 1,7,8 . This storage formation is characterized by suitable porosity, permeability, and thermal conductivity to allow for advective fluid flow and convective and conductive heat flow within the formation.…”

“…Cool wells operate in a reverse sequence to ensure continuous brine supply to the surface heat exchange unit and to mitigate formation damage due to severe pressurization during the charging cycle, and to receive the lowtemperature fluid from the power outlet of the power cycle during the discharging cycle. Previous GeoTES studies have coupled thermal and hydrogeological properties of rocks and fluids and have simulated fluid and heat flow using existing software (e.g., CMG STARS and FALCON) 1,7,8 . Results from reservoir simulations include performance variables such as thermal recovery efficiency, reservoir thermal decline, net heat flow, and number of wells.…”

Guided Transformation of Abandoned Hydrocarbon Fields into Heat Storage Solutions Using Enhanced MCDA-AHP Geostatical Based Method, Hungarian Case Study

“…The operational efficiency of High Temperature-ATES (HT-ATES) systems, particularly in deeper reservoirs that do not affect near-surface groundwater horizons, coupled with the favorable geothermal conditions in regions like the Upper Rhine Graben, underscores the potential of depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs as ideal candidates for geothermal energy storage solutions [23]. The study by [24] on Advanced Geothermal Energy Storage systems, which investigates field-scale implementation in the low-temperature Illinois basin by utilizing an oil well, complements the operational efficiency of HT-ATES systems in deeper reservoirs, making it a promising solution for sustainable geothermal energy storage (Holstenkamp et al, 2017). Numerous hydrocarbon fields, once bustling with oil and gas production, now stand depleted.…”