Geothermal Plays – Porosity and Permeability

With conduction-dominated plays representing an increasingly attractive source of Geothermal Energy, the potential Geothermal reservoir properties need to be evaluated for suitability. One approach is to evaluate the ratio of porosity to permeability and compare it to other locations and applications. This illustration shows some good examples of rock lithologies and types of Geothermal solutions.

  • Evaluation of conduction-dominated play systems can be supported by using their ratio of porosity to permeability. 
  • Depths of reservoirs can affect high in-situ stress and diagenetic effects, both of which promote cementing which impacts flow. 
  • Successful Geothermal systems require the ability to circulate surface or subsurface originated fluids to capture heat for use in the surface power generation equipment.

CD1  Intracratonic basin play

CD2  Foreland basin play

CD3  Basement play

(Specific location examples of each type are given in Professor Inga Moeck’s paper.)

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