Direct numerical simulation of thermo-hydro-mechanical processes at Soultz-sous-For\^ets

TL;DR

This study uses validated numerical simulations to analyze how thermo-hydro-mechanical processes influence porosity and permeability in the Soultz-sous-Forêts geothermal system, highlighting the importance of stress-induced changes for efficient heat extraction.

Contribution

It introduces a coupled numerical model that integrates field data to examine stress effects on porosity and permeability evolution in geothermal reservoirs.

Findings

Permeability can increase up to 30 times near injection zones.

Porosity doubles in some faulted regions close to injection wells.

One mechanical parameter significantly affects porosity-permeability changes.

Abstract

Porosity and permeability alteration due to the thermo-poro-elastic stress field disturbance from the cold fluid injection is a deciding factor for longer, economic and safer heat extraction from an enhanced geothermal system (EGS). In the Soultz-sous-For\^ets geothermal system, faulted zones are the main flow paths and the resulting porosity-permeability development over time due to stress reorientation is more sensitive in comparison with the regions without faulted zones. Available operational and field data are combined through a validated numerical simulation model to examine the mechanical impact on the pressure and temperature evolution. Results shows that near the injection wellbore zones, permeability and porosity values are strongly affected by the stress field changes and the permeability changes will affect the overall temperature and pressure of the system demonstrating a fully coupled phenomenon. In some regions inside the faulted zones and close to the injection wellbores, the porosity doubles whereas permeability may enhance up to 30 times. From the sensitivity analysis on the two unknown parameters from the mechanical aspect is performed and results shows that only one of the parameters impacts significantly on the porosity-permeability changes. Further experimental and field works on this parameter will help to model the heat extraction from the Soultz-sous-For\^ets and elsewhere more precisely than before.