| Title | On the Experimental Simulation of EGS Reservoirs Using a Heated True-Triaxial Apparatus |
|---|---|
| Authors | Luke Frash, Marte Gutierrez, Jesse Hampton |
| Year | 2012 |
| Conference | New Zealand Geothermal Workshop |
| Keywords | Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), True-Triaxial, Hydraulic Fracture, Acoustic Emissions (AE), Laboratory |
| Abstract | Geothermal energy technology has successfully provided a means of generating stable base load electricity for many years. However, implementation has been spatially limited to rare high quality traditional resources possessing the combination of a shallow high heat flow anomaly and an aquifer with sufficient permeability and fluid recharge. Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) technology has been proposed as a potential solution to enable additional energy production from the much more common non-traditional resources. To advance this technology development, a heated true-triaxial load cell with a high pressure fluid injection system has been developed to simulate an EGS system from stimulation to production. This apparatus is capable of loading a 30x30x30 cm rock sample with independent principal stresses up to 13 MPa while simultaneously providing heating up to 180 ºC. Multiple orientated boreholes of 5 to 10 mm diameter may be drilled into the sample while at reservoir conditions. This allows for simulation of borehole damage as well as injector-producer schemes. Dual 70 MPa syringe pumps set to flow rates between 10 nL/min and 60 mL/min injecting into a partially cased borehole allow for fully contained fracturing treatments. A six sensor acoustic emission (AE) array is used for geometric fracture location estimation during intercept borehole drilling operations. Hydraulic sensors and a thermocouple array allow for additional monitoring and data collection as relevant to computer model validation as well as field test comparisons. The results from preliminary tests inside and outside of the cell demonstrate the functionality of the equipment while also providing some novel data on the propagation and flow characteristics of hydraulic fractures themselves. Fully characterized test sample materials used include generic cement grout, custom high performance concrete, granite, and acrylic. Fracturing fluids used include water, brine, and Valvoline® DuraBlend® SAE 80W90 oil. |