Numerical Simulation of Heat Production Potential from an Enhanced Geothermal System in Northern Songliao Basin, Northeast China

Abstract

China Geological Survey Bureau released a report of the preliminary assessment of the HDR resources potential of China in 2011. The assessment results show that northeast China (Songliao Basin) is one of the most favorable regions of developing HDR resources in Chinese mainland. In this work, we numerically investigated the feasibility of developing an enhanced geothermal system (EGS) in northern Songliao basin, northeast China. Based on the geological data of an exploratory well, hydraulic fracturing simulations were conducted to obtain the geometric dimension and flow conductivity of the induced fracture. The information of the resulting fracture was then imported into a hydro-thermal model to investigate the performance of the system in 20 years of continuous production. The results of this work can be used as a basis for fracturing design and preliminary prediction of the heat production potential in this area.