EGS Collab Earth modeling: Integrated 3D model of the testbed

The EGS Collab Team

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The EGS Collab project is conducting a series of stimulation and interwell flow tests in an intermediate scale (∼10-20 m) testbed located on the 4850 level in the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota. The testbed consists of eight ∼200 ft (∼60 m) HQ-diameter (9.6 cm) boreholes that are drilled into the Poorman Formation from the western rib of the West Access Drift. Of the eight boreholes, one borehole is used as an injection/stimulation well, another sub-parallel borehole located about 10 m away from the injection well is used as a production well, and rest of the other boreholes are used as monitoring wells. For 3D visualization of the testbed as well as to provide spatially accurate and consistent parameter data for geomechanical and geophysical process modeling tasks, we are using Leapfrog Software (Seequent Limited). For analysis of fractures and creation of conditioned stochastic discrete fracture network (CS-DFN) model of the testbed, we are using FracMan (Golder Associates Inc.). As of mid-May 2019, the EGS Collab Leapfrog database contains the general layout of the drifts/shafts at the 4850 and 4100 levels; generalized geologic framework model of a domain that spans both the 4850 and 4100 levels; the CS-DFN of the testbed; and layouts of the EGS Collab testbed boreholes, kISMET testbed boreholes, and other existing boreholes at the 4850 level. This information has been obtained from the SURF Vulcan database, detailed laser scan and point surveys of borehole collar locations, directional surveys of borehole trajectories, and mapping of features in the drifts, boreholes, and cores. Similarly, other types of data that have been incorporated into the Leapfrog database include static features of the testbed such as natural discontinuities (e.g., fractures, weeps), location of monitoring instruments, and stimulation notches. Baseline geophysical characterization results (e.g., seismic, ERT, temperature, etc.) are also imported into the Leapfrog database. The location and size of packers, various point-source signals detected during stimulation and flow tests (e.g., temperature anomalies, micro-earthquake events, etc.) are also compiled in the database. All feature locations are reported using the local Homestake Mine coordinate system. In this paper, we present some of the geostructural characteristics as well as the status of the testbed as represented by Leapfrog/FracMan database/visualizations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGeothermal
Subtitle of host publicationGreen Energy for the Long Run - Geothermal Resources Council 2019 Annual Meeting, GRC 2019
PublisherGeothermal Resources Council
Pages380-401
Number of pages22
ISBN (Electronic)0934412243, 9781713806141
StatePublished - 2019
EventGeothermal Resources Council 2019 Annual Meeting - Geothermal: Green Energy for the Long Run, GRC 2019 - Palm Springs, United States
Duration: Sep 15 2019Sep 18 2019

Publication series

NameTransactions - Geothermal Resources Council
Volume43
ISSN (Print)0193-5933

Conference

ConferenceGeothermal Resources Council 2019 Annual Meeting - Geothermal: Green Energy for the Long Run, GRC 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPalm Springs
Period9/15/199/18/19

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Geophysics

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