Systems for generating energy from geothermal sources and methods of operating and constructing same

A system for generating energy from geothermal sources, the system comprising:

• first and second pressure-tested downhole well loops formed within the rock formation and in a heat transfer arrangement therewith, each of the first and second pressure-tested downhole well loops being configured to receive a working fluid capable of undergoing phase change between liquid and gas within the first and second pressure-tested downhole well loops as a result of heat transferred from the rock formation;
• each of the first and second pressure-tested downhole well loops being defined by:
• an injection well extending underground into a rock formation;
• a production well extending underground into the rock formation in proximity to the injection well;
• a first lateral section connected to and extending away from a location along the injection well;
• a lateral section connected to and extending away from a location along the production well;
• and
• a multilateral connector joining the first lateral section and the second lateral section;
• each of the injection well, the production well, the first and second lateral sections being cased in steel and cemented in place within the rock formation;
• at least one pump fluidly connected to the injection well of each of the first and second pressure-tested downhole well loops, the at least one pump being configured to circulate the working fluid through the first and second pressure-tested downhole well loops;
• at least one turbine system configured to receive the working fluid from the production well of each of the first and second pressure-tested downhole well loops;
• the at least one turbine system being operable to convert mechanical energy generated from the flow of working fluid, into electricity;
• and
• at least one cooler fluidly connected to the at least one pump and the at least one turbine for cooling the working fluid.

A system for generating energy from geothermal sources, the system comprising:

• a plurality of pressure-tested downhole well loops formed within the rock formation and in a heat transfer arrangement therewith, each plurality of pressure-tested downhole well loops being configured to receive a working fluid capable of undergoing phase change between liquid and gas within the plurality of pressure-tested downhole well loops as a result of heat transferred from the rock formation;
• each of the plurality of pressure-tested downhole well loops being defined by:
• an injection well extending underground into a rock formation;
• a production well extending underground into the rock formation in proximity to the injection well;
• a first lateral section connected to and extending away from a location along the injection well;
• a lateral section connected to and extending away from a location along the production well;
• and
• a multilateral connector joining the first lateral section and the second lateral section;
• each of the injection well, the production well, the first and second lateral sections being cased in steel and cemented in place within the rock formation;
• at least one pump fluidly connected to the injection well of each of the plurality of pressure-tested downhole well loops, the at least one pump being configured to circulate the working fluid through the plurality of pressure-tested downhole well loops;
• at least one turbine system configured to receive the working fluid from the production well of each of the plurality of pressure-tested downhole well loops;
• the at least one turbine system being operable to convert mechanical energy generated from the flow of working fluid, into electricity;
• and
• at least one cooler fluidly connected to the at least one pump and the at least one turbine for cooling the working fluid.