Enhancing Geothermal Efficiency: Experimental Evaluation of a High-Temperature Preformed Particle Gel for Controlling Preferential Fluid Flow

Abstract

Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) reservoirs represent a vital frontier in clean energy production. However, short-circulation flow within these reservoirs can significantly affect their immediate efficiency and long-term viability. Injected cold fluids moving through wide fractures or direct channels between injection and production wells reduce thermal production temperatures, disrupting energy output. Preformed Particle Gels (PPGs) have proven effective in controlling preferential fluid flow in oil and gas reservoirs, effectively regulating fluid movement. This work explores the potential of a novel High-Temperature Preformed Particle Gel (HT-PPG), designed for geothermal applications, to plug fractures in a simulated geothermal reservoir. Core flooding experiments in coated and uncoated sandstone models were conducted under varying HT-PPG sizes, swelling ratios, and fracture widths to determine gel plugging efficiency. Variations in the HT-PPG injection pressure, breakthrough pressure, and residual resistance factor (Frr) were evaluated. Water breakthrough pressures can reach 464.10 psi/ft. While the stable injection pressure of HT-PPG decreased with increasing swelling ratio and fracture width, it was higher in uncoated cores. The HT-PPG significantly sealed the fractures, drastically reducing conductivities to millidarcy levels. This work validates HT-PPG a robust solution to mitigate fluid diversion challenges in sandstone EGS reservoirs, enhancing performance and advancing sustainable geothermal energy production.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Second Department

Chemistry

Third Department

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Comments

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Grant DE-EE0009790

Keywords and Phrases

Flow diverter; Fracture conductivity; Fracture sealing; Permeability reduction; Residual resistance factor

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1879-0682; 0960-1481

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2024 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Nov 2024

Link to Full Text

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