| Title | Modelling and Optimization Design of a Western Canadian Geothermal Aquifer Flow System: A Case Study |
|---|---|
| Authors | S. Maaref, A. Shariat, K. Joslin, M. Eyre, T. Thompson |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | Geothermal energy plays a vital role in advancing a sustainable, low-carbon economy. Developing geothermal resources can be achieved through water circulation between injection wells, thermal reservoir, and production wells, providing an economically viable means to extract earth's thermal energy. This study evaluates and optimizes the heat production efficiency of a high-temperature Western Canadian geothermal aquifer system under various well design scenarios. The geothermal aquifer flow is modeled using a thermal numerical reservoir simulator, coupled with a semi-analytical wellbore model. The heat production efficiency is examined by analysis of maximum attainable flow rates, produced fluid temperature profiles, and thermal breakthrough behavior. A key focus is optimizing producer pump depth to effectively lift high-density brine from deep formation while minimizing operational costs. Additionally, the impact of injection wellhead pressure on system performance is analyzed. The findings indicate the complex role of reservoir permeability heterogeneity in optimizing well configurations, thermal breakthrough, pump depth, and wellhead pressures. A key trade-off is managing injection wellhead pressure and the required pump depth for the producer. Reducing injection wellhead pressure will necessitate a deeper pump on the producer side, while higher injection pressure requires a shallower pump location. The choice between these scenarios is underscored by multiple factors, including reservoir permeability, economics, achieving the desired flow rate, target producer surface temperature, thermal breakthrough time, and targeted thermal power. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of geothermal system dynamics and provide valuable guidance for optimizing geothermal energy extraction in a cost effective and sustainable manner. |