Geothermal Reservoir Management

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of monitoring geothermal reservoirs?

To predict the temperature of the reservoir

To measure the flow rate of the well

To adjust the reservoir simulation model

To inform a general geothermal reservoir management approach (correct)

What is the primary goal of reservoir simulation?

To predict the enthalpy of the reservoir

To simulate the temperature and pressure evolution during fluid production (correct)

To monitor the flow rate of the well

To adjust the pressure of the reservoir

What is the purpose of maintaining reservoir pressure and temperature?

To ensure sustainable production (correct)

To increase the flow rate of the well

To simulate the reservoir behavior

To monitor the enthalpy of the reservoir

What is microseismic monitoring used for?

To observe events near injection wells Signup and view all the answers

What drives the flow within the well and the reservoir?

Natural forces and applied force pump Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the combination of the radially inward Darcy flow and the turbulent up flow through the tubing?

Pressure losses are added Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of history matching in reservoir simulation?

To adjust the reservoir simulation model for accuracy Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the flow system that connects the geothermal reservoir and the producing well?

Connected flow system Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum temperature required for hydrothermal fluids to be used in flash plants to make electricity?

360°F Signup and view all the answers

What happens when hydrothermal fluid is sprayed into a tank held at a much lower pressure?

It rapidly vaporizes Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a second tank in a double flash system?

To extract even more energy Signup and view all the answers

What type of geothermal power plant is used for moderate-temperature water?

Binary-cycle power plant Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of a binary-cycle power plant?

It is a closed-loop system Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of heat in hydrothermal systems?

The Earth's internal heat Signup and view all the answers

What is the natural process that occurs in hydrothermal systems?

The natural circulation of water through fractures in hot rocks beneath the Earth's surface Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary application of hydrothermal systems?

Electricity generation Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the method used to determine two-phase pressure losses?

Ros' method Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the drilling process for geothermal wells?

Site Selection Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the surface casing in geothermal drilling?

To protect the groundwater and prevent collapse of loose surface formations Signup and view all the answers

What type of flow develops in the upper section of the well?

Two-phase flow Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of installing production tubing and packers in a geothermal well?

To extract geothermal fluids for power generation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the intermediate casing?

To stabilize the wellbore and protect against unstable formations Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of testing and logging in geothermal well development?

To evaluate the well's performance, including flow rates, temperatures, and pressure Signup and view all the answers

Why is special equipment needed for the drilling process?

To handle high temperatures and corrosive fluids Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of an injection well in geothermal energy production?

To re-inject cooled fluids back into the reservoir to sustain pressure and enhance resource sustainability Signup and view all the answers

What is the final step in the drilling process?

Reinforcing the wellbore Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a wellhead in geothermal energy production?

To connect the well to the energy conversion system and control the flow of geothermal fluids Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of flashing in geothermal wells?

Producing a similar lifting effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of heat used in geothermal power plants?

Heat from deep inside the Earth Signup and view all the answers

What type of geothermal power plant is used at The Geysers in northern California?

Steam plant Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of steam technology in geothermal power plants?

It eliminates the need to burn fossil fuels to run the turbine Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of environmental monitoring in geothermal energy production?

To ensure the responsible and sustainable utilization of the geothermal resource Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the applications of hot water from geothermal systems?

Heating purposes in residential and commercial applications Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using binary cycle power plants?

They can generate electricity from lower temperature geothermal resources Signup and view all the answers

What is the environmental benefit of using a closed-loop system in geothermal energy?

It minimizes direct contact between geothermal fluids and the turbine Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the uses of geothermal heat pumps?

Residential and commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of using geothermal energy for district heating?

It provides warmth to multiple buildings or an entire community Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the applications of geothermal heat in agriculture?

Greenhouse heating in colder climates Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Reservoir Management

Monitoring of geothermal reservoirs involves tracking well pressures, flow rates, enthalpies, chemistry, and microseismicity to inform a general management approach.
Reservoir simulation uses 3D models to simulate temperature and pressure evolution during fluid production, starting from geological descriptions and adjusted for accuracy through history matching.
Predictive simulation is used to assess future production scenarios.

Maintaining Pressure and Temperature

Sustainable production requires maintaining reservoir pressure and temperature.
Reinjection of produced fluid is crucial, considering the nature of the reservoir.

Microseismic Monitoring

Microseismic monitoring involves the passive observation of small-scale earthquakes caused by human activities or industrial processes.
Observing events near injection wells helps understand reservoir structures.

Flow System

The geothermal reservoir and producing well form a connected flow system.
Radial inward Darcy flow occurs in the reservoir, while turbulent upward flow occurs through the tubbing.
Pressure losses are added, and the pressure energy of the undisturbed reservoir actuates the motion, providing the required energy against pressure losses and for lifting the fluid to the surface.

Drilling Process

Site selection involves identifying suitable geothermal reservoir locations through geological surveys and exploration.
Well planning involves developing a drilling plan based on geothermal resource characteristics, depth, and temperature.
Drilling rig setup involves bringing in a drilling rig equipped for geothermal drilling, capable of handling high temperatures and corrosive fluids.

Well Construction

Surface casing installation involves preventing the collapse of loose surface formations and protecting groundwater.
Drilling progress involves advancing through various geological layers.
Intermediate casing installation involves stabilizing the wellbore and protecting against unstable formations.
Geothermal reservoir penetration involves reaching the geothermal reservoir depth and, if necessary, using special tools to control the influx of high-temperature fluids.
Reinforced wellbore involves reinforcing the wellbore with steel casing to withstand high temperatures and pressures associated with geothermal resources.
Completion involves installing production tubing and packers to facilitate the extraction of geothermal fluids.
Testing and logging involve evaluating the well's performance, including flow rates, temperatures, and pressure.

Energy Extraction

Geothermal energy can be captured by geothermal power plants or geothermal heat pumps.
Steam plants use hydrothermal fluids to generate steam to make electricity.
Flash steam power plants use hydrothermal fluids above 360°F (182°C) to make electricity.
Binary-cycle power plants are used for moderate-temperature water, extracting energy from the fluids in a closed-loop system.

Types of Geothermal Energy Sources

Hydrothermal systems are the most common and conventional sources of geothermal energy, involving the natural circulation of water through fractures in hot rocks beneath the Earth's surface.
Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) extend the reach of geothermal energy to regions without naturally occurring hydrothermal reservoirs.

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Description

This quiz covers the monitoring and simulation of geothermal reservoirs, including the use of data to inform management approaches and 3D models to simulate temperature and pressure evolution.