Heat Transfer Mechanisms in Petroleum and Geothermal Wellbores

Abstract

The flow of fluids between wells and reservoirs involves a substantial amount of thermal energy exchange with the formation. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the heat transfer of these processes is crucial to the design of the wells for mechanical integrity. While long term production scenarios may achieve a notional steady state, short term injection scenarios involve an accurate consideration of the thermal transients. With global initiatives towards a transition to clean energy, the design of geothermal wells is becoming an area of great importance these days. Accordingly, correct simulation of the heat transfer in the circulating scenario involved in closed loop wells enables accurate assessments of thermal power generated. This chapter aims to educate the user in how to tackle these problems and explains the physics and mathematics involved in detail.