Geothermal potential of low enthalpy reservoirs in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

Here we investigate Mesozoic and Paleozoic porous aquifer systems with different grades of temperature reservoirs to meet growing heat demand and sustain government infrastructure overlying The Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, Canada, where winters are cold (average daily temperature below −4 °C) and direct heat is an essential energy demand. Two stratigraphic intervals were modeled and simulated for geothermal heat production systems: conventional and closed loop. We estimated that 2.93 MWth and 6.9 MWth heat energy can be generated over 30 years of operation in the Mesozoic (300–500 m depth; 100 m thickness, 16 °C reservoir temperature, 1 D permeability, 0.3 porosity, 180 m 3 /h flow rate, 800 m well spacing) and Paleozoic (1400-1200 m depth, 100 m thickness, 35 °C reservoir temperature, 10 mD permeability, 0.1 porosity, a 180 m 3 /h flow rate, 400 m spacing) respectively. This study highlights the geothermal potential of the WCSB as a viable opportunity. • Stratigraphic horizons with geothermal potential near communities were identified in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. • Geothermal simulations used regional data to model doublet well and closed-loop systems based on formation lithology. • Up to 6.9 MWth over 30 years can be produced by either method, depending on reservoir depth and total wellbore length.