Horizontal Closed Loop Geothermal Well Solution for Energy Production

A new horizontal geothermal well solution can be used to harvest geothermal energy by producing a heated fluid circulated in a closed loop completion. Typical wells are drilled to a vertical depth of 2-4 km depth depending on the temperature requirement with a 2-5 km horizontal section. Each well will be completed with the patent-pending vacuumized dual tubing completion technology. The circulation fluid is heated when flowing down the well between the lower completion liner and tubing in the horizontal section of the well. The circulation fluid is returned to the surface in the vacuumized dual completion tubing with a minimal heat loss and a temperature below 100°C after some time providing a power output of 1-3 MW. The closed loop horizontal well solution does not require certain petrophysical properties of the geological formation needed for a conventional doublet geothermal well solution. The closed loop well therefore has a universal application and can be drilled in significantly more locations than a doublet geothermal well solution. Furthermore, as there is no maintenance of downhole equipment and very limited corrosion issues will make it possible for the closed loop solution to last more than 50 years. Geothermal energy from a closed loop solution can be used for district heating and cooling as well as different industrial usages with nearly zero CO2 emissions. By utilizing oilfield technology and expertise for drilling and completion in horizontal wells it will be possible to expand the use of geothermal energy creating a demand for many thousands or maybe even tens of thousands of wells worldwide.