System and method for enhanced geothermal energy extraction

(canceled)

A method for managing a production of thermal energy underground, the method comprising:identifying a first portion of an existing well within a formation containing a combustible material, wherein combusting the combustible material provides heat to a thermal zone around the first portion;positioning a circulation conduit within a new well, wherein the new well includes a second portion that is positioned within the thermal zone;providing a combustion fluid into the formation through the first portion, wherein the combustion fluid aids in combusting the combustible material;

• andproviding a circulation fluid within the circulation conduit to expose the circulation fluid to heat from the thermal zone.

A system for obtaining thermal energy from a formation, the system comprising:a delivery conduit positioned within a first borehole in a formation for carrying a combustion fluid into the first borehole, wherein the formation contains a combustible material that provides heat to a thermal zone within the formation when combusted, and wherein the combustion fluid supports the combustion;a circulation conduit positioned within a second borehole for carrying a circulation fluid into the second borehole to be heated by the thermal zone;

• anda control system adapted to control the production of thermal energy from the formation, wherein the control system includes a processor coupled to a memory, and wherein the memory contains a plurality of computer executable instructions for managing a flow rate of the combustion fluid and the circulation fluid.

A method for providing a system for producing thermal energy, the method comprising:identifying a first portion of a first existing wellbore within a formation containing a combustible material, wherein combusting the combustible material provides heat to a thermal zone around the first portion;identifying a location for a new well relative to the existing well;identifying an angle at which to drill a second portion for the new well relative to the first portion in order to maximize the second portion's exposure to the thermal zone;

• and drilling the new well.