Geothermal Plays have been described, the types and methods of data collection listed, and the way assessments are performed explained. Here are some examples of the various types of Geothermal Plays, their geologic settings, heat sources and transport mechanisms, and their locations.
geothermal energy exploration
9 posts
After identifying the type of Geothermal Play, and performing exploration to obtain data, we would be able to make an Assessment of the potential resource to see if it could be economically developed. With modern technologies and tools, there are tens of thousands of suitable locations available to help access […]
When evaluating a potential Geothermal Play reservoir, there are several aspects to be investigated: (1) Trap Integrity, (2) Geothermal Reservoir (properties), (3) Heat Flow, and (4) Structure. Data is measured at the Surface, in the Overburden, and in the Reservoir or Aquifer. The integration of this data and how it […]
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 […]
Fortunately with low and medium enthalpy power generation solutions, thousands of additional locations would have potential for Geothermal Energy developments subject to normal exploration. Conduction dominated plays include deep aquifers (hydrothermal) or hot dry rock (petrothermal) heated by locally elevated near normal heat flow. Once again there may not be […]
Continuing the series, here is Part 2 of 7 about Convection Dominated Geothermal plays. In this case there is an upflow of fluids transporting heat from depth to shallower reservoirs (or the surface). Probably more well known than some other plays since the majority of operating Geothermal power plants are […]
Based on a series of exploration steps, systematically derisking each subsequent step, the final step would be to drill deep exploration / pilot wells. The preceding geophysical surveys, geological analyses, and thermal boreholes would have provided enough data to obtain funding and finance to drill these wells. The “Go-No Go” […]
Thank you for all the interest in this series of posts. Depending on good results from the initial Geophysical field surveys (described in the Part 1 flyer), one of the next steps would be to obtain geothermal gradient information from shallow boreholes (up to 600m deep in some locations). A […]
Interest in Geothermal Energy is fortunately increasing this year with a lot more online information being shared. There is better recognition of the potential of economic, environmentally sustainable Renewable Energy from this resource below our feet. There may not be surface manifestations of this heat resource however, but Geothermal Exploration […]