Abstract
This presentation examines solutions for reviving inactive wells for power generation in a geothermal field. Accordingly, this presentation shows a method that involves circulating an efficient heat-preserving refrigerant down the well's annulus and up through the tubing in actual field settings. This closed-loop process generates steam or hot water at the wellhead, enabling power production independent of the usual geothermal source. Among the working fluids analyzed, R-134a and R-1234yf refrigerants demonstrated superior performance over a 20-year production period compared to Pentane and water.
The method combines closed-loop fluid circulation to harness thermal heat at night with solar energy generation during the day for electricity production. Together, these two energy sources provide a reliable baseload power supply, addressing the intermittent nature of solar energy while extending the productive use of geothermal resources. In this system, geothermal and solar energy are used independently but complement each other to ensure continuous power delivery. At night, thermal energy generates electricity via a closed-loop system that circulates a working fluid through the wellbore, extracting heat from the surrounding formation. During the day, solar energy supplies electricity, reducing reliance on thermal resources and enabling heat recovery for subsequent nighttime operations.
Additionally, geothermal power plants exhibit higher efficiency during nighttime due to the enhanced performance of the cooling system under nocturnal conditions. Key metrics, including net present value (NPV) and levelized cost of energy (LCOE), support the economic viability of this method. Specifically, four field examples from two geothermal fields provide the overall value proposition. By applying the hybrid thermal/solar approach to various well depths and geothermal gradient conditions, we found that it produces between 52 and 138 MWh of electricity per well over a 20-year period, which is sufficient to power between 226 and 730 homes in Türkiye.
Bio
Shah Kabir is an independent consultant at Subsurface Consultants & Associates, LLC. Before that, he taught at the University of Houston, where he conducted Capstone classes and Reserves Estimation in a graduate class. Overall, he had over 40 years of professional experience in the oil industry, working with companies such as Dome Petroleum, Schlumberger, Chevron, and Hess. During his career, he published over 140 journal articles and several books in the domain of reservoir and production engineering. Lately, his studies have focused on renewable energy.
Over the decades, he has also earned numerous accolades from SPE, including the Legion of Honor (2025) and the Honorary Membership Award (2016).