Numerical experiment on data assimilation for geothermal doublets using production data and electromagnetic observations

Abstract

The data assimilation process for geothermal reservoirs often relies on well data, which primarily offer insights into the immediate vicinity of the borehole. However, integrating geophysical methods can provide valuable information beyond well proximity, possibly enhancing reservoir predictions. Current methods of monitoring geothermal reservoirs struggle to maintain a good signal-to-noise ratio for deep reservoirs. Diffusive electromagnetic (EM) methods can be sensitive to the decreasing conductivity from heat extraction in geothermal reservoirs and offer promising additional value. To test their potential effectiveness, numerical examples are simulated. A scheme to incorporate diffusive EM observations into a data assimilation process for geothermal reservoirs is presented and implemented in this study. First, an ensemble of prior models representing the reservoir uncertainty is used to determine the moments of the resulting temperature field using a forward geothermal simulation. Subsequently, a conductivity model is calculated from the temperature field using an empirical relationship. The expected electric field response can then be simulated using an EM forward model. EM sources are placed on the surface around the expected cold plume location. The receiver is placed at reservoir depth. To assimilate the data, the ensemble smoother with multiple data assimilation method is used. The findings demonstrate that the incorporation of EM data provides valuable information regarding the temperature field. This improves the accuracy of the temperature forecast of the entire reservoir when combined with the localized data from the production well and, therefore, helps to resolve the complex migration of the cold front. These results highlight the monitoring potential of EM observations for geothermal reservoirs.