Hydraulic Fracturing Scenarios for Low Temperature EGS Heat Generation from the Precambrian Basement in Northern Alberta

Abstract

Previous computer simulations identified the characteristics of a fracture network that would allow sufficient heat and fluid transfer for the sustainable and economic use of geothermal heat for oil sands extraction and processing in Northern Alberta (Pathak et al., 2012). Since this type of fracture system does not occur naturally in the region, hydraulic fracturing treatments are needed. In this paper, different hydraulic fracturing scenarios are modeled with a commercial fracturing simulator to examine the dimensions of fracture systems that could be obtained artificially by conventional gel-proppant, water- or hybrid-fracture treatments. The primary objective is to evaluate different treatment approaches for these applications to the conditions existing in Northern Alberta. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to evaluate the influence of reservoir and treatment parameters on fracture properties. Subsequent reservoir simulations show whether these fracture systems could make a sustainable and economical heat extraction possible. Overall, the integration of the results of both models leads to proposed hydraulic fracturing strategies suitable for the conditions expected in Northern Alberta.