Applying Proven Organic Rankine Cycle Technology for the Generation of Electricity from Geothermal Water Produced by Oil and Gas Wells

Abstract

There are a large number of oil and gas wells in the USA which produce hot water as well as their hydrocarbon product. These wells (which in general produce fluids at temperatures below 220 Deg. F.) have been estimated as being capable of generating upwards of 5,000 MW. The use of Ormat’s proven geothermal energy conversion technology for on-site power generation, with “off the shelf ” designs, is the most mature method of realization of this potential. In the past 25 years Ormat has designed and supplied more than 900 MW of geothermal power plant, from 200 KW to over 125 MW in capacity, nearly all of which are still in operation. To verify this concept, Ormat Nevada Inc., has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the US Department of Energy to perform a shared cost validation of an Ormat organic Rankine cycle (ORC) power system to generate commercial electricity from water which is heated during production at a typical oilfield. The project will be conducted at the DOE Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing center (RMOTC), near Casper Wyoming. The power system is an air cooled factory integrated, skid mounted standard design air cooled Ormat Energy Converter (OEC) power plant.