Illuminating the reservoir with detailed understanding
Understanding what’s beneath the surface is critical to making geothermal energy economic. Reservoir characterization helps determine rock and fluid properties of the subsurface to give insight into the geological complexity.
SLB reservoir performance experts provide a series of measurements—even in temperatures of up to 500 degF—to identify economically productive reservoirs and inform your decision making.
In geothermal projects, regulators may require continuous monitoring of the project over its lifespan. To do this, we utilize either permanent fiber or wireline-deployed fiber, depending on your project. SLB’s fiber-optic borehole seismic solution enables the real-time recording and processing of microseismic events, efficiently transmitting essential data to operators without the need for transmitting massive amounts (terabytes) of data.
Assessing the performance of injection wells is achievable through injection flow profiling solutions and standard or high-temperature production logging tools.
Through-the-bit logging services enable acquiring high-resolution subsurface data where gravitational descent on wireline is not possible or in drilled high-angle and horizontal geothermal wells. The large portfolio of measurements includes classic triple- and quad-combo suites, high-resolution laterolog, spectral gamma ray, and more.
Did you know? Cutting-edge technologies, such as our through-the-bit logging services, and domain expertise have contributed to the Department of Energy's Utah FORGE enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) project. The application of through-the-bit logging at Utah FORGE proved effective at mitigating downhole temperature challenges and enabled logging highly deviated injection wells.
Forecasting subsurface geothermal energy extraction also requires knowledge of in situ stresses and fracture breakdown pressure. To acquire this data, we use in situ geomechanical profiling, which gives you an accurate measurement of stress, so you have more confidence in your geothermal field development.
With wireline formation testing, we can assess pressure dynamics within the reservoir. This helps identify factors that may contribute to heightened boiling points and improved fluid transport, consequently facilitating more effective energy conversion. The evaluation of the initial reservoir pressure and subsequent modeling plays a pivotal role in this process.
Geothermal webinar series
Hear directly from our experts about solutions that optimize geothermal reservoir characterization.
Explore all webinarsHear from Erik Borchardt, Reservoir Performance business development manager, and Andy Wray, North America borehole geology domain champion, as they discuss how characterizing, initiating, and sustaining interconnected fracture networks is crucial to the success of developing large-scale, economically sustainable enhanced geothermal system (EGS) reservoirs.
Now available on-demand
Sri Mulyani, senior geologist at SLB, explores how a multidomain and integrated geoscience study including fracture characterization, fracture modeling, and geomechanics provides crucial data to better understand geothermal reservoir conditions, reduce uncertainty, and optimize well targeting in geothermal fields, particularly in EGS applications.
Now available on-demand
Trust your geothermal project to leading software and expertise
Improve geothermal drilling with solutions that perform in hard rock and high temperatures
Connecting to the geothermal resource
Optimize performance for the long term
Extend the life of your geothermal wells
