Thermal energy is extracted from geological formations using a heat harvester. In some embodiments, the heat harvester is a once-through, closed loop, underground heat harvester created by directionally drilling through hot rock. The extracted thermal energy can be converted or transformed to other forms of energy.

A method comprises introducing a sequestration fluid through one or more injection wells into an underground reservoir containing at least one native fluid. Each injection well includes one or more injection well reservoir openings through which the sequestration fluid flows from the injection well into the underground reservoir. The method further comprises simultaneously or substantially simultaneously withdrawing a portion of the at least one native fluid through one or more withdrawal wells. Each injection well includes one or more withdrawal well reservoir openings through which the portion of the at least one native fluid flows from the underground reservoir into the withdrawal well. The one or more withdrawal well reservoir openings are proximate to the one or more injection well reservoir openings.

A method comprises introducing a sequestration fluid through one or more injection wells into an underground reservoir containing at least one native fluid. Each injection well includes one or more injection well reservoir openings through which the sequestration fluid flows from the injection well into the underground reservoir. The method further comprises simultaneously or substantially simultaneously withdrawing a portion of the at least one native fluid through one or more withdrawal wells. Each injection well includes one or more withdrawal well reservoir openings through which the portion of the at least one native fluid flows from the underground reservoir into the withdrawal well. The one or more withdrawal well reservoir openings are proximate to the one or more injection well reservoir openings.

The present disclosure relates to techniques for extracting heat energy from geothermal briny fluid. A briny fluid can be extracted from a geothermal production well and delivered to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can receive the briny fluid and transfer heat energy from the briny fluid to a molten salt. The molten salt can be pumped to a molten salt storage tank that can serve as energy storage. The briny fluid can be returned to a geothermal source via the production well. The briny fluid can remain in a closed-loop system, apart from the molten salt, from extraction through return to the geothermal production well.

The present disclosure relates to techniques for extracting heat energy from geothermal briny fluid. A briny fluid can be extracted from a geothermal production well and delivered to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can receive the briny fluid and transfer heat energy from the briny fluid to a molten salt. The molten salt can be pumped to a molten salt storage tank that can serve as energy storage. The briny fluid can be returned to a geothermal source via the production well. The briny fluid can remain in a closed-loop system, apart from the molten salt, from extraction through return to the geothermal production well.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of enhanced geothermal energy production that transports fluid from existing underground fluid reservoirs to a deeper, higher temperature radiator zone for fluid heating before recovery at the surface. One system includes at least one radiator injection well extending from a subterranean water reservoir of a formation to a radiator zone of the formation that is located at a greater depth than the subterranean water reservoir. The radiator injection well is configured to fluidically couple the subterranean water reservoir with the radiator zone to transfer fluid contained in the subterranean water reservoir to the radiator zone for heating. At least one recovery well extends from the surface to the radiator zone and is configured to recover fluid from the radiator zone that was transferred from the subterranean water reservoir to the radiator zone. The recovered fluid is then used at the surface to generate electricity.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of enhanced geothermal energy production that transports fluid from existing underground fluid reservoirs to a deeper, higher temperature radiator zone for fluid heating before recovery at the surface. One system includes at least one radiator injection well extending from a subterranean water reservoir of a formation to a radiator zone of the formation that is located at a greater depth than the subterranean water reservoir. The radiator injection well is configured to fluidically couple the subterranean water reservoir with the radiator zone to transfer fluid contained in the subterranean water reservoir to the radiator zone for heating. At least one recovery well extends from the surface to the radiator zone and is configured to recover fluid from the radiator zone that was transferred from the subterranean water reservoir to the radiator zone. The recovered fluid is then used at the surface to generate electricity.

A system comprises a production well having an inlet in fluid communication with an underground reservoir, wherein the reservoir is at a first temperature and contains a native aqueous solution, a working fluid withdrawn from the reservoir into the inlet and through the production well. The working fluid comprises a non-water component and an aqueous component comprising a portion of the aqueous solution. The system further comprises a separation apparatus in communication with the production well configured to separate the aqueous component from the working fluid to provide a dewatered working fluid, wherein the aqueous component is from more than 0 wt. % to no more than a specified threshold of the dewatered working fluid. The system also includes an energy recovery system that comprises an expansion device through which the dewatered working fluid passes and produces work energy and a generator that converts the work energy to electricity.

A system comprises a production well having an inlet in fluid communication with an underground reservoir, wherein the reservoir is at a first temperature and contains a native aqueous solution, a working fluid withdrawn from the reservoir into the inlet and through the production well. The working fluid comprises a non-water component and an aqueous component comprising a portion of the aqueous solution. The system further comprises a separation apparatus in communication with the production well configured to separate the aqueous component from the working fluid to provide a dewatered working fluid, wherein the aqueous component is from more than 0 wt. % to no more than a specified threshold of the dewatered working fluid. The system also includes an energy recovery system that comprises an expansion device through which the dewatered working fluid passes and produces work energy and a generator that converts the work energy to electricity.

Thermal energy is extracted from geological formations using a heat harvester. In some embodiments, the heat harvester is a once-through, closed loop, underground heat harvester created by directionally drilling through hot rock. The extracted thermal energy can be converted or transformed to other forms of energy.