| Title | Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal Reservoir Simulation: Reservoir Modeling and Geothermal Prediction |
|---|---|
| Authors | Matthew D. Minnick, Evan Renaud |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | The Tu Deh-Kah geothermal reservoir project aims to develop sustainable geothermal energy at the depleted Clarke Lake gas field in British Columbia, Canada. The target is a geothermal power output of 7 MWe with a 30-year operational lifespan. Numerical simulations were conducted to predict reservoir dynamics over this period. TOUGH3 was selected for modeling due to its widespread use in geothermal reservoir simulations and its capability to simulate fluid and heat flows in multiphase, multicomponent systems. 3D seismic data were incorporated to characterize geologic facies, while historical gas production and pressure data from production wells were used to calibrate the model by adjusting parameters such as permeability, porosity, and regional pressure boundaries. A 30-day doublet well test conducted in August 2022 maintained a steady flow rate of 2,400 m³/day and a gas-to-water ratio (GWR) of 30. The updated model, after the history matching, was validated against well test data based on GWR and gas production rates. The calibrated model was then used to forecast geothermal performance under various operational scenarios. The proposed geothermal well design includes four injection wells and six production wells. Two production scenarios—600 kg/s and 360 kg/s—were evaluated through predictive simulation. Key findings include: (1) Over the 30-year forecast period, no significant temperature decline was observed in the production wells for either case; (2) The gas-to-water ratio (GWR) drops sharply after two years of operation; (3) pressure change ranges from 1mPa to 6mPa. |