Geomechanics of Fractured Geothermal Aquifers

Project Overview

The project, funded by Geosolutions Leeds, is part of the exciting new strategic investment by the University of Leeds Climate Plan. It supports the refocusing of research and training to achieve Net Zero goals and accelerate the Energy Transition.

The goal of the project is to assess the deep geothermal potential of the Early Carboniferous limestone aquifer in the UK, where fractures control porosity, permeability, and fluid flow. Thus, this work aims to develop new understanding of subsurface fluid flow as a function of fracture pattern development and response, using outcrop and well data integrated with numerical modelling of fluid flow in stressed fracture networks.

Our research approach includes the following:

• Mapping of the Early Carboniferous limestone in the subsurface using legacy seismic data, well data, and potential field data;
• Characterization of the fracture network, at the surface (outcrops) and at depth (well data);
• Modelling fracture properties (density, distribution, orientation, aperture);
• Understanding the thermo-mechanical controls on fracture network properties;
• Modelling fluid flow within the limestone aquifer at depth and its geothermal potential.