Wide-field electromagnetic method for deep hot dry rock fracturing monitoring: penetrating thick low-resistivity overburden
IntroductionHot dry rock (HDR) geothermal reservoirs are a vital renewable energy source, but their exploitation requires hydraulic fracturing (HF) to enhance permeability. However, traditional electromagnetic (EM) methods face significant limitations in monitoring deep HDR fracturing due to the shi...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1579468/full |
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| author | Shiyin Gao Shiyin Gao Wubing Deng Juncheng Wang Juncheng Wang Juncheng Wang Juncheng Wang Mingzuan Xu Mingzuan Xu |
| author_facet | Shiyin Gao Shiyin Gao Wubing Deng Juncheng Wang Juncheng Wang Juncheng Wang Juncheng Wang Mingzuan Xu Mingzuan Xu |
| author_sort | Shiyin Gao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionHot dry rock (HDR) geothermal reservoirs are a vital renewable energy source, but their exploitation requires hydraulic fracturing (HF) to enhance permeability. However, traditional electromagnetic (EM) methods face significant limitations in monitoring deep HDR fracturing due to the shielding effect of thick low-resistivity overburden layers (>4,000 m, ρ < 80 Ωm). Overcoming this challenge is critical for optimizing HF operations and ensuring reservoir efficiency.MethodsWe propose the wide-field electromagnetic method (WFEM) as a novel solution for real-time HF monitoring in shielded environments. Through 3D numerical simulations and field applications in an Ordovician-Cambrian HDR reservoir (4,200–5,600 m depth), we evaluated WFEM’s sensitivity to resistivity changes induced by fracturing fluids. Key acquisition parameters were optimized via forward modeling, including transmitter-receiver distance (*r* = 15 km), current (I = 130 A), and electrode spacing (AB = 3,000 m, MN = 100 m).ResultsField data revealed distinct resistivity reduction zones (1,000→25 Ωm) spatially correlated with active fracturing wells, demonstrating WFEM’s ability to detect fluid-induced anomalies (Δρ up to 30%). The method successfully mapped fluid distribution patterns, validating its resolution in deep, shielded geological settings.DiscussionThis study provides the first evidence of WFEM’s efficacy in monitoring deep HDR fracturing, offering a cost-effective alternative to microseismic methods. The results highlight WFEM’s potential for real-time HF monitoring in environments where conventional EM techniques fail. Future work should focus on integrating WFEM with multi-physical data to further improve fracture network characterization. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b074b28ff47d44afadb909db9100e4b1 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-6463 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Earth Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-b074b28ff47d44afadb909db9100e4b12025-08-20T02:41:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632025-07-011310.3389/feart.2025.15794681579468Wide-field electromagnetic method for deep hot dry rock fracturing monitoring: penetrating thick low-resistivity overburdenShiyin Gao0Shiyin Gao1Wubing Deng2Juncheng Wang3Juncheng Wang4Juncheng Wang5Juncheng Wang6Mingzuan Xu7Mingzuan Xu8Geological Exploration Technology Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, ChinaJiangsu Institute of Geological Exploration and Technology, Nanjing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Deep Oil and Gas, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, ChinaGeological Exploration Technology Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, ChinaJiangsu Institute of Geological Exploration and Technology, Nanjing, ChinaCollege of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, ChinaGeological Exploration Technology Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, ChinaJiangsu Institute of Geological Exploration and Technology, Nanjing, ChinaIntroductionHot dry rock (HDR) geothermal reservoirs are a vital renewable energy source, but their exploitation requires hydraulic fracturing (HF) to enhance permeability. However, traditional electromagnetic (EM) methods face significant limitations in monitoring deep HDR fracturing due to the shielding effect of thick low-resistivity overburden layers (>4,000 m, ρ < 80 Ωm). Overcoming this challenge is critical for optimizing HF operations and ensuring reservoir efficiency.MethodsWe propose the wide-field electromagnetic method (WFEM) as a novel solution for real-time HF monitoring in shielded environments. Through 3D numerical simulations and field applications in an Ordovician-Cambrian HDR reservoir (4,200–5,600 m depth), we evaluated WFEM’s sensitivity to resistivity changes induced by fracturing fluids. Key acquisition parameters were optimized via forward modeling, including transmitter-receiver distance (*r* = 15 km), current (I = 130 A), and electrode spacing (AB = 3,000 m, MN = 100 m).ResultsField data revealed distinct resistivity reduction zones (1,000→25 Ωm) spatially correlated with active fracturing wells, demonstrating WFEM’s ability to detect fluid-induced anomalies (Δρ up to 30%). The method successfully mapped fluid distribution patterns, validating its resolution in deep, shielded geological settings.DiscussionThis study provides the first evidence of WFEM’s efficacy in monitoring deep HDR fracturing, offering a cost-effective alternative to microseismic methods. The results highlight WFEM’s potential for real-time HF monitoring in environments where conventional EM techniques fail. Future work should focus on integrating WFEM with multi-physical data to further improve fracture network characterization.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1579468/fullenhanced geothermal systemselectromagnetic monitoringhydraulic fracturingresistivity anomalydeep reservoir characterization |
| spellingShingle | Shiyin Gao Shiyin Gao Wubing Deng Juncheng Wang Juncheng Wang Juncheng Wang Juncheng Wang Mingzuan Xu Mingzuan Xu Wide-field electromagnetic method for deep hot dry rock fracturing monitoring: penetrating thick low-resistivity overburden Frontiers in Earth Science enhanced geothermal systems electromagnetic monitoring hydraulic fracturing resistivity anomaly deep reservoir characterization |
| title | Wide-field electromagnetic method for deep hot dry rock fracturing monitoring: penetrating thick low-resistivity overburden |
| title_full | Wide-field electromagnetic method for deep hot dry rock fracturing monitoring: penetrating thick low-resistivity overburden |
| title_fullStr | Wide-field electromagnetic method for deep hot dry rock fracturing monitoring: penetrating thick low-resistivity overburden |
| title_full_unstemmed | Wide-field electromagnetic method for deep hot dry rock fracturing monitoring: penetrating thick low-resistivity overburden |
| title_short | Wide-field electromagnetic method for deep hot dry rock fracturing monitoring: penetrating thick low-resistivity overburden |
| title_sort | wide field electromagnetic method for deep hot dry rock fracturing monitoring penetrating thick low resistivity overburden |
| topic | enhanced geothermal systems electromagnetic monitoring hydraulic fracturing resistivity anomaly deep reservoir characterization |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1579468/full |
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