Concepts of a Basic EGS Model for the Cooper Basin, Australia

Abstract

Geodynamics is currently undertaking field development activities to support a proposal for commercial base-load zero-emission electricity generation in the Cooper Basin, Australia. The project will be based on Engineered Geothermal System (EGS) technology and a plant design will be chosen that is optimized for return-on-investment during the first 20 years of operation. This paper presents the key concepts of an integrated thermo-hydraulic and economic model being developed for economic sensitivity analysis and preliminary design optimization for conditions specific to the Cooper Basin. The model is called the Basic EGS Model in anticipation that other more sophisticated models will be required for model validation, theoretical studies, detailed design work, and managing plant operations.

The Basic EGS Model is a ‘rapid-development’ model based on analytical-empirical solutions, iterative methods, and a number of simplifying assumptions to provide estimates of geothermal power and net electrical power for a range of operating conditions and well layouts. The major design variables addressed by the model are well spacing, well depth, well trajectory, well completion and the number and location of stimulated fracture-zones. At the time of writing, the veracity of model assumptions and interpretations required further testing and validation. Equations and mathematics are not provided in this conceptual paper and the model was a work-in-progress.