312 temperature gradient, and brine salinity, the brine thermophysical properties such as density, viscosity and formation volume factor were established with depth and initialized into the static model. Brine saturation was set equal to 100% throughout the static model. With all static model fluid properties initialized, development cases were constructed employing an equal number of injection and abstraction wells. In each development case a guide rate balance was established setting the total daily injection rate equal to and a function of the total daily brine abstraction rate. A DLE effluent was created as an external fluid containing 50 mg/l of lithium – representing a 90% recovery factor at the DLE plant - which was reinjected into the reservoir to replace the abstracted brine. Well lift rates were constrained to the fluid levels above the ESP intake ports required to maintain reliable motor and impeller / diffuser operation. The first development case assessed a staggered line pattern-type vertical well configuration initially spaced 2-kilometers apart. Both vertical production and abstraction wells have their production casing cemented at the base of the Fractured Formation and were screened across the entirety of the good permeability Target Sands. Well spacing between vertical injection and abstraction wells was then increased until there was no DLE plant effluent breakthrough from the injection wells into the abstraction wells over a 40-year brine mining operation lifespan. The second development case assessed a direct line type horizontal well configuration initially spaced 2-kilometers apart. Both horizontal production and abstraction wells have slanted production casing cemented into the Target Sands and were screened as horizontal laterals within the largest pore volume Target Sand interval. Well spacing between horizontal injection and abstraction wells was then increased until there was no DLE plant breakthrough from the injection wells into the brine abstraction wells over a 40-year brine mining operation lifespan. From the resulting lithium resource abstracted and well count requirements, conclusions were made regarding the benefits of horizontal drilling to develop a salar environment brine reservoir.
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