Project Title 

Repurposing Hydrocarbon Wells for Geothermal Energy Production and Storage

Principle Investigator

Professor Falcone                University of Glasgow

Project Team:

Dr Westaway                      University of Glasgow 

Project Partners:

Perenco UK
Schlumberger Cambridge Research Ltd

Project Summary

An interdisciplinary approach to deep geothermal systems is key to decarbonising heat in the UK (~50% of total energy demand) to honour emissions-reduction commitments. High technical and economic risk at the exploration stage is a major constraint on the development of deep geothermal energy projects. Targeting well-characterised hydrocarbon reservoirs can reduce risk and drilling costs.

Starting with public-domain data in the UK, potential candidate wells and sites will be screened. A selection of case studies will be analysed to assess the feasibility of various repurposing concepts; social feasibility will also be assessed by engagement with potential end-users.

Published outcomes

Journal papers

Watson, S.M., Falcone, G., Westaway, R. 2020. Repurposing Hydrocarbon Wells for Geothermal Use in the UK: the Onshore Fields with the Greatest Potential. Energies, 13(14), 3541.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en13143541

Conference papers and presentations

Watson, S.M., Falcone, G. and Westaway, R. 2019. Repurposing Hydrocarbon Wells for Geothermal Energy Production and Storage: EPSRC-CESI Flexi Fund Research Project. Oral Presentation. All Energy 2019, Glasgow, UK, 15th May 2019.

Watson, S.M., Falcone, G. and Westaway, R. Repurposing Hydrocarbon Wells for Geothermal Use in the UK: a Preliminary Resource Assessment. Proceedings of the World Geothermal Congress 2020, Reykjavik, Iceland, 21 - 26 May 2021, 12 pp. 

Watson, S.M., Westaway, R. and Falcone, G. 2019. A Review of Deep Geothermal Energy and Future Opportunities in the UK. Poster Presentation. European Geothermal Congress 2019, Den Haag, The Netherlands, 11-14 June 2019.

Watson, S.M., Westaway, R. and Falcone, G. 2019. A Review of Deep Geothermal Energy and Future Opportunities in the UK. Proceedings, European Geothermal Congress 2019, Den Haag, The Netherlands, 11-14 June 2019, 6 pp.

Falcone, G., Westaway, R., Watson, S.M., Al Lawati, A. 2019. The Feasibility of Repurposing Hydrocarbon Wells for Geothermal Use in the UK: a Critical Assessment. Oral Presentation. 7th London Geothermal Symposium, The Geological Society, 5th November 2019.