Novel productivity enhancement concept for a sustainable utilization of a geothermal resource (SURE)

Source of funding:

Horizon 2020 (European Commission)

Duration:

01.03.2016–31.08.2019

Project leader in Lithuania:

Prof. Dr. Habil. S. Šliaupa

Executives:

Helmholtz Zentrum Potsdam Deutsches Geoforschungszentrum (GFZ), Technische Universiteit Delft (TU Delft), Hochschule Bochum (Hbo), Islenskar Orkurannsoknir (ISOR), Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek (TNO), Wellservices Bv (WS), Imperial College Of Science Technology And Medicine (Icl),  Geoterma UAB (Geoterma UAB), Nature Research Centre (NRC), Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU)

Project description:

The SURE project focuses on investigation of a novel geothermal resource productivity enhancement concept for low- and high-temperature geothermal systems, applying the radial jet drilling (RJD) technology, which allows considerably enhance the number of economically viable geothermal wells and their productivity.

The RJD technology has been tested in oil and gas production. However, this method has never been used for ruptured rocks; furthermore, temperature and geothermal conditions differ considerably in geothermal collectors.

The only provider of services of radial jet drilling technology  in Europe participates as a partner in the project; therefore, SURE has a perfect possibility to develop this state-of-the-art technology for the stimulation of low-productivity geothermal wells.

During the SURE project, RJD technology will be tested under laboratory and field conditions on different scales: on a microscale (laboratory investigations under in situ conditions), on a midscale (laboratory investigations under atmospheric conditions, using fieldwork equipment) and on a macroscale (field investigations). Test programme was supplemented with digital modelling based on basic and applied research, which enables reconstruction of test results and their application in practice, aiming to predict the value added created by RJD compared to other technologies. The progress that can be achieved by applying RJD and side effect of this methods will be compared to ordinary collector stimulation methods. The latter will serve as the benchmark for the assessment of RJD application results.

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/

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