Evaluation of the potential for geothermal resource development and long-distance transmission technology in Northern section in Ningjin Uplift

The Ningjin Uplift exhibits sound endowment in geothermal resource. However, the distance from the primary energy market in Jinzhou city restricts the efficient development of geothermal resources on a large scale. On the basis of analysis of geology and geothermal reservoir natures, the northern part of the uplift is selected as the favorable area. The Wumishan Formation of the Jixian System and the Gaoyuzhuang Formation of the Changcheng System are two main geothermal reservoirs, for which the resource potential is calculated layer by layer using the volumetric heat-in-place method. Based on the well pattern schemes compared via numerical simulation and economic sensitivity analysis, a long-distance transmission development mode is proposed. The calculations present that the geothermal resources in the northern part of the Ningjin Uplift is totally 20.55×10⁸ GJ, with a recoverable resource of 3.08×10⁸ GJ. Thus, a scheme on construction of a long-distance pipeline around 10 km is proposed. Theoretically, this pipeline can provide heat for an area of 718×10⁴ m² or so, and the economies of scale can effectively balance the investment and operational costs of the long-distance pipeline network. The success of Jinzhou long-distance geothermal heating project proves the technical and economic feasibility of using medium and low-temperature geothermal energy as a direct heat source for long-distance pipeline transmission and has far-reaching significance in addressing the similar challenges of resource supply and market demand.