Numerical Modeling of Fluid and Heat Flow in the Southern North Sea

Abstract

Understanding fluid flow and temperature distribution in geothermal potential fields is of utmost importance as it provides valuable insights into the mechanisms governing these fields. Extensive research has been conducted worldwide, employing geological, geophysical, and hydrothermal modeling techniques, to investigate geothermal fluid and heat flow patterns. This paper focuses on studying a geothermal potential area located in the southern North Sea to analyze fluid and heat flow characteristics and their temporal variations in the region. A comprehensive approach was adopted, combining geophysical data with modeling results. The marine seismic data obtained from the southern North Sea were utilized to identify faults, fluid flow features, and geological units, forming the basis of a hydrogeophysical model. To investigate this phenomenon further, numerical modeling was performed using ANSYS FLUENT, a finite volume-based Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software. The model incorporated the geometry of the studied field derived from the seismic section, along with the physical and hydraulic properties of the medium. Thermal and physical rock properties were obtained from previous research. As the numerical simulation progresses over time, the expected results include the temperature distribution/fluid flow patterns and the factors controlling them. The models will provide novel perspectives on the geothermal potential in the southern North Sea, offering insights into the fluid and heat flow characteristics of the region.