Optimization of fracture and injection-production parameters for compressed air energy storage

Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) is a method of storing energy in the form of compressed air. Low-permeability formations with excellent sealing properties serve as ideal storage spaces for this purpose. While lower permeability reduces gas diffusion to distant areas, thereby enhancing energy preservation, it also diminishes the formation’s ability to inject and produce gas efficiently. Consequently, hydraulic fracturing of low-permeability formations becomes necessary to improve injection and production efficiency. This study focuses on a target reservoir, employing numerical simulation models based on CAES characteristics to analyze and optimize fracture and injection-production parameters that affect storage efficiency. The simulation results indicate optimal fracture parameters of 120 m length and 30 D·cm conductivity, with optimal injection-production parameters of 3000 m 3 /h injection rate, 6000 m 3 /h production rate, 15 MPa injection pressure, and 10 MPa production pressure. These findings provide valuable insights for enhancing multi-cycle injection and production efficiency in CAES systems.