Techno-economic assessment of geothermal energy extraction from abandoned oil and gas fields using hybrid U-shaped closed-loop system

Srinivas Chappidi, Ankesh Kumar and Jogender Singh

Energy, 2025, vol. 321, issue C

Abstract: The present study investigates the Hybrid U-Shaped Closed-Loop Geothermal System (HCLGS), a novel approach designed to enhance geothermal energy extraction from abandoned oil and gas wells (AOGWs). The HCLGS integrates the conventional insulated U-shaped closed-loop system (IUCLGS) with the coaxial double pipe system, enabling improved thermal energy extraction. The study evaluates the techno-economic performance of the HCLGS in comparison to the IUCLGS and analyses the feasibility of retrofitting AOGWs as geothermal wells for direct heating applications. To assess the economic competitiveness, the levelized cost of heat (LCoH) was calculated, considering the system's thermal performance. The results showed that the HCLGS extracted up to 17 % higher thermal power at 11 % lesser LCoH compared to the IUCLGS. Furthermore, retrofitting an abandoned directional well into the HCLGS reduced the LCoH by 66 % compared to drilling a new well. These findings emphasize the potential of the HCLGS as a transformative solution for sustainable geothermal energy extraction, offering direct heat applications while reducing costs and supporting global renewable energy goals.

Keywords: Hybrid closed-loop geothermal system; Geothermal energy; Economic analysis; Abandoned oil and gas wells; Renewable energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:321:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225011156

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135473

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