scholarly journals Soultz-sous-Forêts Geothermal Reservoir: Structural Model Update and Thermo-Hydraulic Numerical Simulations Based on Three Years of Operation Data

Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 502
Author(s):  
Clément Baujard ◽  
Pauline Rolin ◽  
Éléonore Dalmais ◽  
Régis Hehn ◽  
Albert Genter

The geothermal powerplant of Soultz-sous-Forêts (France) is investigating the possibility of producing more energy with the same infrastructure by reinjecting the geothermal fluid at lower temperatures. Indeed, during the operation of the powerplant, the geothermal fluid is currently reinjected at 60–70 °C in a deep fractured granite reservoir, and the MEET project aims to test its reinjection at 40 °C. A 3D hydrothermal study was performed in order to evaluate the spreading of the thermal front during colder reinjection and its impact on the production temperature. In the first step, a 3D structural model at fault scale was created, integrating pre-existing models from 2D vintage seismic profiles, vertical seismic profiles, seismic cloud structure and borehole image logs calibrated with well data. This geometrical model was then adapted to be able to run hydrothermal simulation. In the third step, a 3D hydrothermal model was built based on the structural model. After calibration, the effect of colder reinjection on the production temperature was calculated. The results show that a decrease of 10 °C in the injection temperature leads to a drop in the production temperature of 2 °C after 2 years, reaching 3 °C after 25 years of operation. Lastly, the accuracy of the structural model on which the simulations are based is discussed and an update of the structural model is proposed in order to better reproduce the observations.

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Girija K. Joshi ◽  
Mihira N. Acharya ◽  
Marie Van Steene ◽  
Sandeep Chakravorty ◽  
Christophe Darous ◽  
...  

Abstract The deep organic-rich calcareous Kerogen of North Kuwait, a continuous 50ft thinly alternating carbonate – organic-rich argillaceous sequence, is not only a source rock but has gained importance as potential reservoirs themselves of typical unconventional category. Resource play or Kerogen characterization relies on quantifying total organic carbon (TOC) and estimating accurate mineralogy. This paper describes the first attempt to directly measure total organic carbon of the Limestone-Kerogen sequence. For the present study, empirical estimations of TOC have been carried out based on conventional log measurements and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The introduction of a new neutron-induced capture and inelastic gamma ray spectroscopy tool using a very high-resolution scintillator and a new type of pulsed neutron generator for the deep unconventional kerogen resources have provided a unique opportunity to measure a stand-alone quantitative TOC value using a combination of capture and inelastic gamma ray spectra. In this process, Inorganic Carbon Content (ICC) is estimated by using elemental concentrations measured by this logging tool in addition to measuring Total Carbon, and this value is subtracted from the measured total carbon to give TOC. The advanced elemental spectroscopy tool measurements were first used to determine accurately the complex mineralogy of the layered carbonate and organic-rich shale sequence. Extensive laboratory measurements of core / cuttings data were used to calibrate the petrophysical evaluation and capture the heterogeneity seen on borehole image logs. The final analysis shows considerable improvements compared to conventional empirical estimation. Once the mineralogy is properly determined, the log-derived TOC matches very well with core measured TOC. This technique has provided a new direct and accurate log-derived TOC for Kerogen characterization. The application has a potential to be used for CAPEX optimization of the coring in future wells. This technique can also be applied in HPHT and High-angle horizontal wells, which can overcome challenging coring difficulties in horizontal wells.


1996 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 524-529
Author(s):  
Hayrullah Karabulut ◽  
John F. Ferguson

Abstract An extension of the boundary integral method for SH waves is given for transversely isotropic media. The accuracy of the method is demonstrated for a simple flat interface problem by comparison to the Cagniard-de Hoop solution. The method is further demonstrated for a case with interface topography for both surface and vertical seismic profiles. The new method is found to be both accurate and effective.


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