Thermo-economical model development of repurposing oil and gas wells for geothermal energy. Case study Ecuador
Author: Laura C. Bocanegra Rodriguez
Year: 2023
Supervisor: Vijay Chauhan
Abstract:
This study focuses on developing a thermoeconomic analysis model to estimate
potential of utilizing geothermal water co-produced in an oilfield in Ecuador. A
thermoeconomic approach that combines exergy analysis with economic principles
was employed to evaluate plant performance and cost effectiveness. An Organic
Rankine Cycle (ORC) design using four different working fluids (R123, R600,
Isopentane, R245fa) was analyzed to exploit the low enthalpy geothermal fluid
from the oilfield. The results revealed that using R601 as the working fluid, the oil
field in Ecuador with a temperature range of 100-115°C can generate 326 kW, with
a thermal efficiency of 4%, exergy efficiency of 20%, and electricity generation
cost of 2.64 USD cent/kWh, compared to 7.8 USD cent/kWh assuming additional
drilling cost required for extracting same potential from a conventional geothermal
field. These findings indicate significant potential for low-cost electricity
generation in the oilfield, providing an economic benefit to the oil industry.
Overall, this study has important implications for the sustainable use of geothermal
energy in the oil and gas industry and the development of renewable energy sources
in Ecuador, as it highlights the potential of using geothermal resources in oil fields.