A method for maximizing geothermal energy recovery within a formation having a geothermal gradient, comprising: determining the geothermal gradient within the rock volume of said formation; forming a wellbore configuration for location and positioning within said rock volume with the configuration of the wellbore based on the determined geothermal gradient for maximum thermal recovery, the wellbore configuration comprising a closed loop having an inlet well and outlet well and a plurality of lateral interconnecting wells positioned within said rock volume and connecting said inlet well and said outlet well, said plurality of lateral interconnecting wells being without casing and in fluid communication with said inlet well and said outlet well; sealing during drilling said plurality of lateral interconnecting wells, for direct conductive heat transfer from formation rock surrounding each of said plurality of lateral interconnecting wells into said plurality of lateral interconnecting wells; selecting at least one working fluid for circulation in a predetermined sequence within said configuration based on: wellbore configuration; geothermal gradient variation; and formation geologic characteristics; determining working fluid temperature of the sequentially circulated working fluid within said wellbore configuration; and selecting at least one of: working fluid rerouting and distribution within said configuration; working fluid composition; working fluid flow rate within said configuration; working fluid flow direction; or combinations thereof to maximize energy recovery from said formation rock surrounding each of said plurality of lateral interconnecting wells. determining the geothermal gradient within the rock volume of said formation; forming a wellbore configuration for location and positioning within said rock volume with the configuration of the wellbore based on the determined geothermal gradient for maximum thermal recovery, the wellbore configuration comprising a closed loop having an inlet well and outlet well and a plurality of lateral interconnecting wells positioned within said rock volume and connecting said inlet well and said outlet well, said plurality of lateral interconnecting wells being without casing and in fluid communication with said inlet well and said outlet well; sealing during drilling said plurality of lateral interconnecting wells, for direct conductive heat transfer from formation rock surrounding each of said plurality of lateral interconnecting wells into said plurality of lateral interconnecting wells; selecting at least one working fluid for circulation in a predetermined sequence within said configuration based on: wellbore configuration; geothermal gradient variation; and formation geologic characteristics; wellbore configuration; geothermal gradient variation; and formation geologic characteristics; determining working fluid temperature of the sequentially circulated working fluid within said wellbore configuration; and selecting at least one of: working fluid rerouting and distribution within said configuration; working fluid composition; working fluid flow rate within said configuration; working fluid flow direction; or combinations thereof to maximize energy recovery from said formation rock surrounding each of said plurality of lateral interconnecting wells. working fluid rerouting and distribution within said configuration; working fluid composition; working fluid flow rate within said configuration; working fluid flow direction; or combinations thereof to maximize energy recovery from said formation rock surrounding each of said plurality of lateral interconnecting wells. <EOS>