Temperature distribution around a well during thermal injection and a graphical technique for evaluating aquifer thermal properties

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Water Resour. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/WR019i002p00351· OSTI ID:5931141

Chen, C S; Reddell, D L

Analytical solutions of temperature distribution are developed for the problem of thermal injection into a confined aquifer with a caprock of finite thickness. Heat transfer by horizontal conduction and convection within the aquifer and by vertical conduction in the caprock and bedrock is considered. Steady-state and 2 asymptotic unsteady-state solutions of temperature distribution around a thermal injection well are determined. One unsteady-state solution is for short time periods and the other is for long time periods. The caprock thickness is only important in the long time period solution. A graphic technique is presented using hypothetical data for evaluating 4 pertinent aquifer thermal properties. Field measurements of aquifer temperatures near the steady-state condition theoretically are needed to utilize the graphic technique. In many practical situations a long time period is required to achieve a steady state condition. Therefore, a modified graphic technique employing an unsteady temperature distribution is illustrated and can be used to estimate the horizontal thermal conductivity and aquifer thermal capacity. 43 references.

• OSTI ID: 5931141
• Journal Information: Water Resour. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resour. Res.; (United States) Vol. 19:2; ISSN WRERA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
AQUIFERS
DATA ANALYSIS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
GRAPHS
INJECTION WELLS
OIL WELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RECOVERY
STEAM INJECTION
STIMULATION
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS