A simple 3-D thermoelastic model for assessment of the long-term performance of the Hijiori deep geothermal reservoir

• A simple three-dimensional (3-D) thermoelastic model is developed.
• This model is incorporated into a 3-D stochastic network model.
• Thermoelasticity exerted a significant influence on production temperature, injection pressure and water loss.
• For a multi-well geothermal system, thermoelasticity seemed to have a potential to cause thermal short circuits.

In order to assess the thermoelastic influence on the long-term performance of hot dry rock (HDR) reservoirs, a simple three-dimensional (3-D) thermoelastic model has been developed based on an assumption of a spherically symmetric volume of cooled rock within reservoir. This model has been incorporated into a 3-D stochastic network model, FRACSIM-3D, which incorporates a fracture network designed to mimic natural fracture distributions as well as stimulation and circulation. The model has been used to evaluate the possible long-term performance of the deep HDR reservoir at Hijiori, Japan. Simulation results showed that thermoelasticity could exert a significant influence on production temperature, injection pressure and water loss. For a multi-well geothermal system, thermoelasticity seemed to have a potential to cause the development of high flow rate/rapidly cooling flow paths (thermal short circuits).