Abstract for CRADA between National Energy Technology Laboratory and Shell International Exploration & Production, Inc
Introducing CO₂ into geothermal systems as a working fluid in reservoirs can enhance geothermal conductivity, production, and pressure maintenance. A cross-disciplinary interaction of geothermal reservoir stimulation and CO₂ utilization satisfies renewable energy demands and operations that support sustainable energy infrastructure. Challenges to implementing CO₂-stimulated geothermal enhancement (CS-GE) include (1) accurately characterizing and imaging CO₂-stimulated geothermal reservoirs; (2) quantitatively inferring CS-GE evolution under current and future engineered conditions for cost effective operations; and (3) monitoring resources by improving observational methods to advance the understanding of complex geothermal systems for sweep efficiency and, ultimately, cost effectiveness. NETL and Shell will collaborate under this CRADA to develop software to image key features, including CO₂-stimulated fracture imaging, CO₂ fluid sweep imaging and heat transfer and exchange imaging by leveraging available datasets and applying advanced Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), multi-level data analytics and data/information fusion to better understand the comprehensive mechanisms of CO₂-stimulated geothermal systems.