Perhaps I could sum up the key areas of potential innovation as I see it (presently).
1. The efficient air cooling of the secondary circulation (as already being discussed on this thread).
2. Optimising the flow rate through further stimulation and controlled shaping of the fracture gap especially in the neighbourhood of the wells.
3. Optimisation of the well spacing. Reducing the number of wells per km2 has a major effect on the capital cost. (This has been discussed here previously). Increasing the spacing from 500 m (as between Hab1 and Hab2) to 1000 m (proposed) eliminates 75% of wells required. Could this be extended still further? If it is increased to 1500 m then the reduction in number of drill holes needed is 90%. If each hole costs $15M this represents colossal savings. Each pair of wells would need to increase its flow by a corresponding amount.
At some later stage it would be of value to experiment with this by spacing the array of wells at 2 to 3 km, carry out the stimulation, measure the flow rates, and then drill interpolation wells at half that spacing, to repeat the tests.
4. Operate multiple fracture zones simultaneously, e.g. several in a depth range of say 300 m. Would need to control flows to be the same in each zone.
5. 'Reduce the viscosity' of the water for more efficient heat transfer and faster flow rates. (Explain more on this later.)
These suggestions could operate independently but, if combined, would multiply efficiencies even further.
What additional possibilities could you think of?
Juke
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