Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical modeling on acid fracturing in carbonatite geothermal reservoirs containing a heterogeneous fracture

Acid fracturing and hydraulic fracturing are two useful methods to improve productivity of geothermal wells. Compared with hydraulic fracturing, it remains challenging to select and design an optimal scheme of acid fracturing in geotherm reservoirs due to the complex chemical reactions between acidizing fluids and reservoir rocks. A modeling framework for the coupled thermal-hydro-mechanical chemical processes during acid fracturing in carbonatite geothermal reservoirs is developed, which is verified using the published experimental results. Effects of natural and human-controlled factors on efficiency of acid fracturing are investigated through parameter sensitivity analysis. The results show that the two human-controlled parameters including acid concentration and injection rate play an important role in determining propagation area, whereas the acid etching pattern is mainly dependent on natural reservoir parameters including aperture field, reservoir temperature and in-situ stress. The developed modeling framework is successfully applied to simulate a field test of acid fracturing in a geothermal well, Beijing, China. The further follow-up research and limitations of the present study are also addressed. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Acid fracturing and hydraulic fracturing are two effective methods to enhance productivity of geothermal wells. Designing an optimal scheme of acid fracturing in geothermal reservoirs remains challenging due to complex chemical reactions between acidizing fluids and reservoir rocks. A modeling framework for coupled thermal-hydro-mechanical chemical processes during acid fracturing has been developed and successfully applied to field tests in Beijing, China, revealing the significant impact of natural and human-controlled factors on efficiency.