A Study of Propagation of Cooled Cracks in a Geothermal Reservoir
- Key words
- Geothermal reservoir; Thermal cracking; Fracture propagation
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 2010
- Session
- HDR/EGS; Fractures
- Language
- English
Abstract
Thermal stimulation has been considered as a means of enhancing reservoir permeability. The plausibility and the conditions for success of such approach are investigated by considering the influence of cooling on fractures and their propagation. Interaction of multiple fractures and their trajectory is also considered. Results indicate that under suitable conditions of in-situ stress regime, pore pressure, and cooling, thermal stimulation can lead to significant fracture propagation. The necessary conditions for effective contribution of this process to reservoir permeability are also discussed.
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