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Abstract: Mid-deep geothermal reinjection technology is crucial for the sustainable development of geothermal resources, which has garnered significant attention and rapid growth in recent years. Currently, various geothermal reinjection technologies lag behind, lacking effective integration to address issues like low reinjection rates and thermal breakthrough. This paper reviews the basic principles and development history of mid-deep geothermal reinjection technology, focusing on various technical methods used in the process and analyzing their applicability, advantages, and disadvantages under different geological conditions. It highlights the unique challenges posed by deep geothermal resources, including high temperature, high pressure, high stress, chemical corrosion, and complex geological structures. Additionally, it addresses challenges in equipment selection and durability, system stability and operation safety, environmental impact, and sustainable development. Finally, the paper explores future directions for mid-deep geothermal reinjection technology, highlighting key areas for further research and potential pathways for technological innovation. This comprehensive analysis aims to accelerate the advancement of geothermal reinjection technology, offering essential guidance for the efficient reinjection and sustainable development of geothermal resources.
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Figure 1. Principle of geothermal reinjection and schematic diagram of water quality detection and filtration (Chitgar et al. 2023)
Figure 2. (a) geothermal vertical well and (b) geothermal inclined well (Zhao et al. 2024)
Figure 3. (a) pore type thermal reservoir well structure, (b) bedrock fracture type thermal reservoir well structure (Ma et al. 2008)
Figure 4. Reinjection process principal diagram (Song et al. 2020)
Figure 5. Optimized well distribution mode of deep geothermal centralized production and reinjection (Liu et al. 2020).
Figure 6. Influence of reinjection flow optimization on temperature field change of reservoir (Liu et al. 2022)
Table 1. Advantages, disadvantages and applicability of commonly used drilling techniques (Ma et al. 2014; Zhang and Zhang, 2014)
Drilling processes Applicability Advantages Disadvantages Positive circulation drilling technique Drilling fluid Most geological conditions Stable borehole, simplicity for the operator, matured technology Easily polluted reservoirs, high lost circulation costs Clean water Geological conditions with stable formation and low pressure Fast drilling speed, effective well washing, low reservoir pollution, and low costs Borehole instability, poor cutting carrying ability Clean water filling air Drilling projects with stable formation, low pressure, and high environmental requirements Protect reservoirs, reduce lost circulation, increases drilling speed, prevents differential pressure sticking High technical requirements Air lift reverse circulation technique Drilling in loose and collapsible formations High efficiency, long bit life, good well quality, reliable, continuous core drilling, time-saving High technical requirements Directional drilling technique Drilling in complex formations, deep wells, and multiple target zones Achieves accurate positioning of the target layer, reduces impact of ground facilities and the environment High cost, high technical requirements Table 2. Advantages, disadvantages and applicability of commonly used completion techniques (Zhao, 2014; Ma et al. 2008; Jiang et al. 2011; Jia et al. 2015)
Well formation technology Advantages Disadvantages Problem Applicability Mesh wrapped wire filter pipe into a well Small diameter, high efficiency, easy to control, well wall stability during drilling Not suitable for sandstone reservoirs with poor cement and fine grain size. Can block pores in the filter layer, increasing water resistance and affecting the water output, the reinjection effect is not ideal. This technology is suitable for geothermal well with better sand consolidation and coarse +particles. Large diameter wire filter pipe filled with gravel into the well Effectively increases the diversion area, reduces water resistance, ensures good water output, excellent sand control Large drilling workload, high cost, deeper drilling depth, higher well completion risk. Difficult to maintain the stability of the hole wall, high construction risk, challenging to deliver gravel material in deep wells This technology is often used in shallow geothermal well construction. Perforating a well Allows reactivation of target layers that would otherwise remain non-productive. Underground operations are difficult and costly Complex and changeable formation environment makes it hard to obtain accurate formation parameters More suitable for sand-producing reservoirs, fractured reservoir and waterflooding reservoir development. Table 3. Advantages, disadvantages and applicability of common reinjection processes
Reinjection process Applicability Advantages Disadvantages Pressure reinjection Suitable for most thermal reservoir conditions and large-scale geothermal reinjection projects Easy to operate and can run quickly, improving efficiency; Reinjection flow rate can be precisely controlled by adjusting the pressure. Mature, reliable systems that are easy to maintain and manage; not limited by the composition of geothermal water and can be applied in different thermal reservoirs. Requires high pressure pumps and related equipment, increasing energy consumption and safety risks; reauires stronger pipeline during reinjection. Continuous high pressure can cause formation rupture and bubble plugging. Vacuum reinjection Typically used in hot reservoirs with high water quality, high temperature and low permeability, or in geothermal fields requiring rapid pressure replenishment Ensures pure water quality and prevents pollutants from entering the reinjection water. Reduces gas solubility and bubble formation, decreasing the risk of plugging geothermal reservoirs. Avoids pipe and equipment corrosion caused by oxidation during reinjection. Enhances permeability of the reinjection water, reducing injection pressure and resistance, thus improving reinjection efficiency. Requires professional equipment and personnel leading to high cost. Establishing and maintaining a vacuum environment is time-consuming and energy-intensive, leading to lower production efficiency and higher energy consumption. Table 4. Statistics of causes of plugging of geothermal reinjection (Cao et al. 2021)
Clogging cause Percentage /% Suspended matter 50 microorganisms 15 chemical precipitation 10 Bubble plugging 10 Clay expansion 5 Particle recombination 5 Other 5 -
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