Geothermal potential of low enthalpy reservoirs in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

Abstract

Here we investigate Mesozoic and Paleozoic porous aquifer systems with different grades of temperature reservoirs to meet growing heat demand and sustain government infrastructure overlying The Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, Canada, where winters are cold (average daily temperature below −4 °C) and direct heat is an essential energy demand. Two stratigraphic intervals were modeled and simulated for geothermal heat production systems: conventional and closed loop. We estimated that 2.93 MWth and 6.9 MWth heat energy can be generated over 30 years of operation in the Mesozoic (300–500 m depth; 100 m thickness, 16 °C reservoir temperature, 1 D permeability, 0.3 porosity, 180 m³/h flow rate, 800 m well spacing) and Paleozoic (1400-1200 m depth, 100 m thickness, 35 °C reservoir temperature, 10 mD permeability, 0.1 porosity, a 180 m³/h flow rate, 400 m spacing) respectively. This study highlights the geothermal potential of the WCSB as a viable opportunity.