The Heat Beneath Our Feet: A Comprehensive Techno-Economic and Sustainability Evaluation of Geothermal Energy Extraction in Kuwait

Abstract

This paper investigates the feasibility of re-purposing an oil well in the Bahra Kuwait Oil Field to extract geothermal energy using a closed-loop co-axial well design. It evaluates the performance, economic viability, and environmental impact of using water versus supercritical CO2 as heat-carrier fluids, with the aim of supporting Kuwait's 2060 net- zero and energy-sustainability targets. Subsurface, surface, economic, and environmental modelling were integrated to design and assess the geothermal system. GEOPHIRES-X™ simulated the subsurface and surface thermal performance for both fluids, while PIPESIM™ is used to predict the pipeline pressure gradient, horsepower requirements, and flow assurance risks. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using SimaPro™ is used to evaluate the carbon emissions, land use, and energy inputs. The economic analysis included energy costs, OPEX, CAPEX, and Net Present Value (NPV). Results showed that water outperformed supercritical CO2 in energy output and NPV, producing 1,903 kW ($97M) compared to 1,129 kW ($48M). Sensitivity analysis identified optimal injection rates of 30 kg/s, a horizontal well length of 5,000 m, and an injection temperature of 40 °C. The LCA indicated a low environmental footprint, with only 206 tons of CO2 emissions over the well's lifecycle. These findings demonstrate that re-purposing abandoned oil wells for geothermal energy in Kuwait is technically and economically viable, offering a sustainable energy pathway.