Geothermal Energy from High-Water Production Zones in the Eastern Venezuela Basin: Simulation Results for Reservoirs in the Orinoco Oil Belt and North of Monagas State, Venezuela

Abstract Eastern Venezuela Basin is one of the world's most prolific hydrocarbon basins and an ecosystem where water management poses a significant challenge for energy production in Venezuela. Several studies have explored the management and utilization of water from this basin, particularly for improved/enhanced oil recovery. However, the efficient use of produced water for geothermal energy extraction has not been thoroughly investigated. This article aims to evaluate the feasibility of applying geothermal energy extraction technologies in mature hydrocarbon reservoirs and high-water production wells through numerical simulation. Numerical simulations using 3D sector models were conducted for a high-temperature/high-pressure reservoir in North of Monagas state (140 °C) and in a cluster of wells in the Orinoco Oil Belt (50 °C), where high-water production wells were adapted to assess heat transfer and estimate the energy output from these reservoirs. Furthermore, this article presents a detailed analysis of the sources and composition of waters in Eastern Venezuela Basin hydrocarbon reservoirs, geologic context, geothermal gradients, and key factors influencing geothermal energy applications. It also examines selected geothermal techniques suitable for deep reservoirs in North of Monagas State and shallow reservoirs in the Orinoco Oil Belt, particularly in areas with high water cuts and wells with low commercial value, for geothermal energy generation. The findings of this study suggest that medium-shallow and deep high-temperature geothermal energy techniques, together with the use of water for alternative IOR/EOR processes and exploring hydrogen production and mineral extraction are potential scenarios for water management in the Eastern Venezuela Basin. Sensitivities of key parameters such as borehole depth, reservoir temperature, and circulating flow rate were taken into account during the simulation of geothermal scenarios. Current results emphasize the need for robust studies on geological and geophysical assessments to update geothermal gradients in Eastern Venezuela Basin, as well as physical and geochemical characterization of geothermal water sources. Additionally, for the generation of geothermal energy in this basin from high water production zones, it is crucial to account for physical and geochemical reactions, such as solid precipitation, scaling, acid gases management, and designing efficient underground-to surface heat transfer. These factors directly influence the efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness of geothermal applications This article explores the potential use of geothermal energy as an alternative approach for water management and energy generation in complex deep compositional reservoirs and shallow reservoirs with highly viscous crude oils. This study will serve as a reference for technical and economic feasibility assessments in other field applications. The outcomes of this work will help in determining suitable geothermal energy conversion technologies and conducting feasibility analysis for future geothermal energy production in Venezuela.