Regulatory and economic challenges in the production of geothermal brine from a mature oil field

ABSTRACT

The paper analyzes the technical solutions, economic feasibility and institutional aspects of geothermal energy use in a district heating system by retrofitting wells on a mature oil field based on the case study. The objective is to describe institutional procedures for brine production from the mature oil field. The research methodology includes the well data and the condition of the existing oil infrastructure analysis, to evaluate the brine production possibility. The methodology also analyzes existing hydrocarbon contracts. Institutional steps to obtain a geothermal concession on the brownfields are proposed. The hypothesis assumes that, with the legislation change, a vertical distribution of concessions for simultaneous production of oil and brine is achievable. The conclusion brings the novelty of this paper as the provision of guidelines for the development of the projects and the start of the production of brine from a mature oil field for the investors and the legal authorities.

KEYWORDS:

• Geothermal brine
• geothermal reservoir exploration
• mature oil field
• oil bottom aquifer
• geothermal field ivanić
• geothermal exploitation concession
• energy transition

Highlights

• By changing the legislation, it is possible to achieve a vertical distribution of concessions for the purpose of simultaneous production of hydrocarbons and geothermal brine at the same location.

• The detailed procedures of institutional steps need to be followed for gaining the geothermal concession at the brownfield location.

• Geothermal energy can be used in the form of a district heating system by retrofitting certain wells on mature oil field.

• Guidelines for the investors and the legal authorities for the geothermal project development have been provided.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).