Relining Damaged Geothermal Wells for Optimized Operations
Trias Westland’s geothermal operator faced severe corrosion and injection challenges across several projects with similar casings and reservoir fluids. In response, Sproule ERCE developed novel well completion design featuring a Glass Fibre Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) composite casing, effectively combating corrosion. Since its successful installation in 2019, this innovative design has set a new industry benchmark. In 2023, Nature’s Heat, a geothermal operator facing integrity challenges, also adopted the GRE-lined tapered retrievable string, benefiting from Sproule ERCE’s project management and engineering expertise.
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Project Highlights
- Glass Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Casing
- Environmentally Friendly Corrosion Prevention
- Custom Tubular Design and Installation
- Reduced Corrosion and Improved Injectivity
Challenges:
The Impact on Production: Corrosion (e.g., ferrous sulfate, microbial-induced, etc.), erosion, scaling, and injection clogging, significantly affect well integrity and productivity, leading to increased maintenance costs and downtime.
Limitations of Corrosion Inhibitors: Corrosion inhibitors present uncertainty and environmental concerns, raising questions about their long-term viability in geothermal applications.
Material Selection: While corrosion-resistant options like 13Cr are effective, they are costly. Composite materials, like GRE, require careful handling due to low torque connections and limited compressive strength.
Limitations of Corrosion Inhibitors: Corrosion inhibitors present uncertainty and environmental concerns, raising questions about their long-term viability in geothermal applications.
Material Selection: While corrosion-resistant options like 13Cr are effective, they are costly. Composite materials, like GRE, require careful handling due to low torque connections and limited compressive strength.
Solutions:
The GRE Advantage: Large-diameter GRE tubing is resistant to aggressive geothermal water chemistry, preventing integrity issues while maintaining high-pressure injection rates.
Enhanced Monitoring Capabilities: Utilizing GRE as an inner string allows for advanced leakage detection, enhancing well integrity and promoting responsible geothermal operations.
Cost-Effective Material Selection: Long-term, GRE tubing offers a more economical alternative to traditional austenitic steel, improving long-term operational efficiency.
Enhanced Monitoring Capabilities: Utilizing GRE as an inner string allows for advanced leakage detection, enhancing well integrity and promoting responsible geothermal operations.
Cost-Effective Material Selection: Long-term, GRE tubing offers a more economical alternative to traditional austenitic steel, improving long-term operational efficiency.
Values:
Integrity Validation: With over five years of monitoring, Sproule ERCE validates GRE as a reliable solution, reducing operational costs while ensuring performance.
Setting Industry Standards: The successful installations at Trias Westland and Nature’s Heat illustrate how composite materials can enhance geothermal well design, setting a precedent for the industry.
Commitment to Innovation: Sproule ERCE’s dedication to out-of-the-box solutions fosters safe, sustainable geothermal operations, addressing current challenges while paving the way for a resilient future.
Setting Industry Standards: The successful installations at Trias Westland and Nature’s Heat illustrate how composite materials can enhance geothermal well design, setting a precedent for the industry.
Commitment to Innovation: Sproule ERCE’s dedication to out-of-the-box solutions fosters safe, sustainable geothermal operations, addressing current challenges while paving the way for a resilient future.