Repurposing of disused shale gas wells for subsurface heat storage: preliminary analysis concerning UK issues

Westaway, R. (2016) Repurposing of disused shale gas wells for subsurface heat storage: preliminary analysis concerning UK issues. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 49, pp. 213-227. (doi: 10.1144/qjegh2016-016)

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Abstract

Development of many wells is envisaged in the UK in coming decades to exploit the abundant shale gas resource as fuel and petrochemical feedstock. Forward planning is therefore warranted regarding reuse of the resulting subsurface infrastructure after gas production has ceased. It is shown that this infrastructure might be repurposed for borehole thermal energy storage (BTES). Preliminary calculations, assuming an idealized cycle of summer heat storage and winter heat extraction, indeed demonstrate annual storage of c. 6 TJ or c. 2 GWh of energy per BTES well. Summed over the anticipated well inventory, a significant proportion of the UK's future heat demand might thus be supplied. This form of BTES technology has particular relevance to the UK, where the shale resource is located in relatively densely populated areas; it is especially significant for Scotland, where the resource coincides with a particularly high proportion of the population and heat demand.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Westaway, Dr Robert
Authors: Westaway, R.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
Publisher:Geological Society
ISSN:1470-9236
ISSN (Online):2041-4803
Published Online:18 August 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 The Geological Society of London
First Published:First published in Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology 49:213-227
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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