Abstract
In order to speed up the development and utilization of hydrothermal energy, it is essential to assess the potential of geothermal resources in petroliferous basins. In this paper, the distribution of reservoirs (aquifers) and the characteristics of geothermal fields have been studied systematically based on geological, geophysical, well drilling, temperature, and sample test data obtained from the major petroliferous basins of China. It has been found that some of the porous sandstone formations in these petroliferous basins are major geothermal reservoirs and are extensively thick and widely distributed. In general, the geothermal gradient in China is higher in the eastern basins and lower in the western basins. On average, the geothermal gradient is above 30 °C/km in the Bohai Bay, Songliao, and Subei basins. The geothermal resource abundance is also higher in eastern China and in the Beibuwan basin in southern China, and the geothermal source forming condition is better, followed by the Ordos, Qaidam, and Sichuan basins in Central China. Other potential basins include the Tarim and Junggar basins in western China, where the geothermal gradient ranges between 21 and 22 °C/km, on average. In this paper, three methods, stochastic simulation, unit volumetric, and analogy, were used for the assessment of geothermal resources. Using the stochastic simulation and unit volumetric methods, the geothermal resources, annual recovered geothermal resources, geothermal water resources, and thermal energy of water in 11 basins or blocks of up to 4000 m deep were calculated. Grading evaluation criteria were established by considering the heterogeneity of geothermal reservoirs. The results showed that the petroliferous basins are very rich in geothermal resources. The annual recoverable resources reach 1626.8 × 106 tons of standard coal, in which grade I, grade II, and grade III resources are 641.9 × 106, 298.6 × 106, and 686.3 × 106 tons of standard coal, respectively. The results demonstrate that the development and utilization of geothermal energy in oilfields has a huge potential for industrial production and family use, and a great significance for the development of green oilfields. With the high demand of heat, the eastern oilfields with high geothermal resource abundance should be the first to be considered for the production and utilization of geothermal energy, followed by the central and western oilfields.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chen M, Wang J, Deng X (1994) Geothermal resources in China: origin and potential. Science Press, Beijing, pp 90–176
Cheng WL, Li TT, Nian YL, Wang CL (2013) Studies on geothermal power generation using abandoned oil wells. Energy 59:248–254
Geologic Exploration Standard of Geothermal Resources (GB/T 11615-2010) (2011) Standards Press of China
Grant MA (2014) Stored-Heat assessments: a review in the light of field experience. Geotherm Energy Sci 2:49–54
Jiang GZ, Gao P, Rao S et al (2016) Compilation of heat flow data in the continental area of China (4th edition) (in Chinese). Chinese J Geophys 59(8):2892–2910. https://doi.org/10.6038/cjg20160815
Konak G, Pamukcu C (2006) Geothermal energy-economy, potential and utilization possibilities in Turkey. Energy Explor Exploit 24:271–284
Li K (2011) Feasibility study on utilizing mid-low temperature geothermal resource for power generation. Geotherm Energy 1:25–27
Li K, Sun W (2015) Modified method for estimating geothermal resources in oil and gas reservoirs. Math Geosci 47(1):105–117
Li K, Wang L, Mao X, Liu C, Lu J (2012) Evaluation and efficient development of geothermal resource associated with oilfield. Sci Technol Rev 30(32):32–41. https://doi.org/10.3981/j.issn.1000-7857.2012.32.004
Liu J, Li R, Sun Z (2015) Exploitation and utilization technology of geothermal resources in oil fields. In: Proceedings of the World Geothermal Congress 2015, Melbourne, Australia, April 2015
Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources (1985) Geothermal resources assessment methods (DZ-4085)
Muffler P, Cataldi R (1978) Methods for regional assessment of geothermal resources. Geothermics 7(2–4):53–89
National Development and Reform Commission, National Energy Administration, Ministry of Land and Resources (2017) The 13th five-year plan of geothermal energy exploitation and utilization
Quinao JJD, Zarrouk SJ (2018) Geothermal resource assessment using experimental design and response surface methods: the Ngatamariki Geothermal Field, New Zealand. Renew Energy 116:324–334
Rees S, Curtis R (2014) National deployment of domestic geothermal heat pump technology: observations on the UK experience 1995–2013. Energies 7:5460–5499. https://doi.org/10.3390/en7085460
Templeton JD, Ghoreishi-Madiseh SA, Hassani F, Al-Khawaja MJ (2014) Abandoned petroleum wells as sustainable sources of geothermal energy. Energy 70:366–373
Wang J, Hu S, Pang Z et al (2012) Estimate of geothermal resources potential for hot dry rock in the continental area of China. Sci Technol Rev 30(32):25–31. https://doi.org/10.3981/j.issn.1000-7857.2012.32.003
Wang SJ, Yan JH, Li M, Li KW, Hu SB (2014) New advances in the study of oilfield geothermal resources evaluation. Chin J Geol 49(3):771–780
Wang J et al (2015) Geothermal and its applications. Science Press, Beijing, pp 78–82
Wang S, Yan J, Li F, Hu J, Li K (2016) Exploitation and utilization of oilfield geothermal resources in China. Energies 9(10):798. https://doi.org/10.3390/en9100798
Wang J, Qiu N, Hu S, He L (2017a) Advancement and developmental trend in the geothermics of oil fields in China. Earth Sci Front 24(3):1–12
Wang S, Yan J, Li F (2017b) Geothermal energy. Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing, 149 pp
Wight NM, Bennett NS (2015) Geothermal energy from abandoned oil and gas wells using water in combination with a closed wellbore. Appl Therm Eng 89:908–915
Williams CF (2007) Updated methods for estimating recovery factors for geothermal resources. In: Proceedings of the 32nd Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering 2007, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA, January 2007
Yan DS, Yu YT (2000) Geothermal resources assessment and utilization. China University of Geosciences Press, Wuhan, pp 1–178
Younger PL (2015) Geothermal energy: delivering on the global potential. Energies 8:11737–11754. https://doi.org/10.3390/en81011737
Zhao XG, Wan G (2014) Current situation and prospect of China’s geothermal resources. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 32:651–661
Zhu J, Hu K, Lu X, Huang X, Liu K, Wu X (2015) A review of geothermal energy resources, development, and applications in China: current status and prospects. Energy 93:466–483
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by a CNPC Science and Technology Project (grant no. 2016A-4802). In preparation of the paper, thanks go to the 15 oilfield companies for the valuable data and maps.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wang, S., Hu, J., Yan, J. et al. Assessment of Geothermal Resources in Petroliferous Basins in China. Math Geosci 51, 271–293 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11004-019-09786-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11004-019-09786-9