An Insight in Explaining the Stress Distribution in and around EGS

TL;DR

This paper investigates stress redistribution in Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), providing new insights into how stresses evolve during operation and outlining variables affecting safe and efficient EGS development.

Contribution

It offers a novel understanding of stress behavior in basement rocks during EGS operation and discusses key variables influencing stress redistribution and system safety.

Findings

Stress redistribution impacts EGS stability and safety.

Geological and operational variables significantly influence stress behavior.

Guidelines for future research in stress management in EGS.

Abstract

Developing an Enhanced Geothermal System, otherwise known as EGS, is a complex process and is dependent on range of geological and operating variables. Stresses in and around EGS are believed to be either sound and non-harming or violent and catastrophic among different groups involved, directly or indirectly, in EGS. Pros and cons of EGS have been under discussion and research for a while now. This paper addresses issues associated with stress redistribution during and after working cycle of EGS and gives a new insight in understanding the behavior of stresses redistribution in and around basement rock. As the basement rock is thermo-elastically connected to the country rock, newly generated stresses interact with the existing in-situ stresses under prevailing conditions of geological, design and operating variables. Variables dictating the continuous, safe and efficient working of EGS are also outlined in detailed sections. Guidelines for future of the research related to stress redistribution in EGS are also part of this paper.