Eventos Anais de eventos
ENCIT 2022
19th Brazilian Congress of Thermal Sciences and Engineering
Comparative analysis of well drilling techniques for water and geothermal energy recovery
Submission Author:
Thales Maluf , SP , Brazil
Co-Authors:
Thales Maluf, Nazem Nascimento, Andreas Nascimento
Presenter: Thales Maluf
doi://10.26678/ABCM.ENCIT2022.CIT22-0411
Abstract
The world´s energy grid has been going through considerable changes that are related to the expansion of sustainable and renewable sources of energy that guarantee low emission of pollutants. Considering Brazilian´s actual picture, this trend can already be observed, and it is expected for it to be consolidated in some years. One of the natural sources that must be watched more closely is the geothermic source, which involves certain complexity of the extraction process, but has the potential to become an interesting alternative source of energy and heat for the country. Since the attainment of geothermal energy requires underground exploration, it can be compared with the extraction of one of the most important natural resources for the Brazilian’s society: underground water. Since well drilling for aquifer exploration is a common activity in Brazil, the comparison with geothermal well drilling was considered relevant and important for geothermal exploration´s development. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to analyze the aspects of geothermal energy and its exploration procedures through a comparative analysis with water well drilling. To reach this goal, the methodology implemented was a bibliographical review of the water well drilling and borehole construction literature as well as the geothermal well drilling literature, focusing on aspects such as geological inspection, drilling techniques, well casing, pumping and other relevant features. The drilling techniques to be compared include the equipment used, preferred drilling methods and technology implemented. Through this analysis, it is expected the observation of relevant differences between the equipment that is used, drilling parameters and drilling fluids, because these resources are found in different depth ranges, so they require different drilling characteristics. However, it is also expected some similarities between the processes since their drilling mechanisms have practically the same “nature” and both can extract water, but in different phases. Finally, this comparative analysis will show that despite the differences in equipment used, drilling fluids and drilling parameters, it is important to compare these processes in order to develop geothermal well drilling technology and methods, so it can reach its potential as an important alternative source of electricity and heat for the country. Hereafter, this analysis will be expanded to the economic field, where costs will be considered, and it will include oil and gas exploration.
Keywords
Drilling, underground water, Geothermal Energy, comparative analysis, natural resources
