Study of the Heat Loss Effect in Geothermal Steam Production Well

Abstract

Well casing and cement temperature can change during geothermal production operation. The change of temperature occurs because of the heat transfer from the geothermal fluid to the formation. The heat transfer occurs because of the temperature difference in geothermal fluid and formation. The heat of fluid moves to the casing, cement, and formation through convection and conduction. This research aims to develop the heat transfer model in the steam production well, predict the steam heat loss and its effect on every 100 m well increment, and predict the well casing and cement temperature distribution and their effect on every well segment. The heat transfer model is an analytical calculation model developed to be the base of the calculation of heat loss and a temperature drop of well casing and cement. This model was developed for the calculation of heat loss in steam production well. The model was compared with a simulator to test the suitability. The fluid flow pressure drop and well lithology were considered in this model. The heat loss was very low during the steam production. The heat loss could be higher, along with the formation temperature drop. The material thermal conductivity and the well segment's layer thickness could affect the steam heat transfer in the production well.