Abstract
Geothermal energy is a clean, green renewable resource, which can be utilized for power generation, heating, cooling, and could effectively replace oil, gas, and coal. In recent years, oil companies have put more efforts into exploiting and utilizing geothermal energy with advanced technologies for heat-tracing oil gathering and transportation, central heating, etc., which has not only reduced resource waste, but also improved large-scale and industrial resource utilization levels, and has achieved remarkable economic and social benefits. Based on the analysis of oilfield geothermal energy development status, resource potential, and exploitation and utilization modes, the advantages and disadvantages of harnessing oilfield geothermal resource have been discussed. Oilfield geothermal energy exploitation and utilization have advantages in resources, technical personnel, technology, and a large number of abandoned wells that could be reconstructed and utilized. Due to the high heat demand in oilfields, geothermal energy exploitation and utilization can effectively replace oil, gas, coal, and other fossil fuels, and has bright prospects. The key factors limiting oilfield geothermal energy exploitation and utilization are also pointed out in this paper, including immature technologies, lack of overall planning, lack of standards in resource assessment, and economic assessment, lack of incentive policies, etc.
Highlights
There are abundant medium and low-temperature geothermal resources in China, with the amount of total resources equivalent to 8532 × 108 t of standard coal [1], which are mainly distributed in petroliferous basins
The geothermal energy of oilfield produced water can be classified as a medium and low-temperature geothermal resource according to the geothermal resource concept and classification, a sedimentary basin geothermal resource according to geological structure properties, and a hydrothermal geothermal resource according to its carrier
The orientations of oilfield geothermal energy exploitation and utilization should be researched in order to achieve sustainable utilization, and a unified exploitation and utilization plan should be completed based on resource conditions
Summary
There are abundant medium and low-temperature geothermal resources in China, with the amount of total resources equivalent to 8532 × 108 t of standard coal [1], which are mainly distributed in petroliferous basins. It is well known that oil companies are major energy producers producers and large energy consumers; they consume a large amount of gas, oil, and coal in order to heat living spaces, perform thermal recovery of heavy oil, provide heating to oil pipelines, etc. This consumption consumption of gas and oil increases operating costs, and living costs.
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