Affiliates Program

Overview

The Stanford Geothermal Program conducts graduate research programs in geothermal engineering and the associated problems of flow in fractured and low permeability rocks. The central objectives of the program are to serve the industry by (i) graduating reservoir engineers and (ii) carrying out research in flow in fractured and low permeability rocks that will be useful to the industry. The research is focused towards accelerated development of energy resources through the evaluation of fluid resources and forecasting the behavior of fractured and low permeability fields.

 

Background

The Program started as unfunded research in 1966, but in 1972, funding was secured from the National Science Foundation, subsequently from ERDA and currently from a combination of the U.S. Department of Energy and our Affiliate companies. About 120 geothermal engineers have graduated from the program since its inception. At present our research focuses on

  • Laboratory-Scale Flow Experiments in Fractured Rocks
  • Laboratory-Scale Experiments of Multiphase Flow
  • Well Test Analysis
  • Injection and Tracer Technology
  • Heat Extraction
  • Field Applications and Field Performance Data.

In addition to the above research tasks, each year the Stanford Geothermal Program convenes the International Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Workshop, schedules weekly seminars on geothermal energy and organizes a lecture course on geothermal reservoir engineering.

 

Research Objectives

The Program conducts research aimed at addressing issues which are of concern to industry. While pursuing fundamental research is also of importance to the scientific community at large, the Program generally focuses on problems which have application to or may lead to improvements in our understanding of processes within fractured and low permeability rocks. One of the concerns that has arisen over recent years is that of reservoir decline. Consequently, much of the research at Stanford is currently focused on the problem of liquid injection into fractured and low permeability reservoirs.

A number of projects are currently being undertaken in order to further our understanding of the dominant physical processes involved as condensate and waste water are injected into fractured reservoirs. These include:

Relative permeability measurements for flow in fractured media

The reliable measurement of relative permeability functions in fractured rocks is of utmost importance in the simulation of fractured reservoirs in order to match or forecast production performance. We are using a high resolution CT scanner to determine the saturation distribution during the course of the experiments.

Liquid injection into a fractured medium

We are applying our modeling and laboratory skills to develop an understanding of the heat transfer and vaporization processes within fractured systems. We are extending our analysis to investigate gravity fed fractures, multiple fractures and fractures bounded by permeable rock.

Boiling and condensation in porous and fractured media

We are investigating the physical processes of condensation and vaporization within porous media using a combination of numerical and laboratory techniques.

How to be Involved

  • Enrollment as a Student - we offer MS and PhD courses in Petroleum Engineering with specialization in geothermal reservoir technology.
  • Attendance at Annual Workshop - the International Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Workshop is held towards the end of January each year. This vibrant workshop provides an excellent forum for the exchange of new research ideas/results and is often followed by a short course and field trip. Attendance at the workshop has risen in recent years and regularly attracts attendees from more than 15 countries.
  • Industrial Affiliate Member - you can join an increasing number of companies interested in flow in fractured and low permeability rocks and/or involved in the development of geothermal energy. Member companies help direct and share in the research which is conducted, and attend short courses on geothermal reservoir engineering held at Stanford. In addition, our affiliates have hired all of our graduates in recent years.

 

Industrial Affiliates - Geothermal and Fractured Rocks

At Stanford University there are several research programs supported by groups of companies and institutions in the form of industrial affiliates or research consortia. These programs provide an effective way for industry and institutions to contribute to and sustain research and teaching in the areas of their current and long-term interests. At the same time, the programs facilitate effective dialog between academia and industry thereby aiding the transfer of knowledge to professionals concerned with the application of new research findings. All members of the Affiliates Program receive quarterly reports, completed technical reports and published papers. Members are invited to an annual meeting where the research conducted at Stanford and future plans are discussed. The Affiliates help support the student assistantships we offer and provide for laboratory equipment. The current affiliates and consortia programs have proved successful at Stanford and are now considered an integral part of the University’s research activities.

An important element of the Program is the education of engineers for employment in the industry. A close association of industry and academia strengthens the expertise of our graduates. Stanford graduates are already filling many positions in the energy industry worldwide, and the Program wishes to continue to be a major source of qualified reservoir engineers in this important development.