Identifying issues in geothermal energy production from petroleum fields

Petroleum fields of the Taranaki region, New Zealand are a prospective source of low-enthalpy geothermal energy generation. Despite the advantages of available infrastructure, drilled wells, and operational experience in oil and gas fields, geothermal energy generation has not been achieved yet. Therefore, the paper discusses favourable characteristics of the power plants operating in geothermal fields as well as oil and gas fields around the world. The objective is to identify practical challenges from an industrial point-of-view that limit geothermal development from this resource. It is found that efficient conversion technology, constant ambient conditions, and reliable fluid handling system are vital to improving the economics of an energy generation project where sufficient temperature and fluid flow rates are available. A detailed thermo-economic study to analyse the prospects of combined heat and power generation from these fields is recommended in the future.