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 […]
energy transition
108 posts
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 […]
First in a series of 7 Posts about Geothermal Plays. Better understanding of a location’s geology can lead to appreciation of the potential for accessing Geothermal Energy. Technologies and tools have advanced rapidly to open up the technical and economic potential for Geothermal Energy across many more locations. Exploring for […]
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 […]
In a number of locations, there may be an opportunity to combine two technical solutions: Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Geothermal Energy development. Carbon storage in either sedimentary or mafic/ultramafic formations may sometimes be combined with circulation of fluids to obtain heat for Geothermal electricity prior to reinjection of […]
Today 17th October is World Geothermal Day. If you are not already celebrating, here is some information on how to recognise potential geothermal energy locations. There has been good increasing interest in Geothermal with governments beginning to recognise that this economic, environmentally sustainable renewable energy is persistent so that it […]
After Carbon Capture, another promising way of safely sequestering Carbon Dioxide is to inject it into mafic and ultramafic geological formations. Storage through in-situ mineralisation has been demonstrated and we have good technologies and improved analytical tools proven in pilot projects. That gives us a wider range of potential storage […]
As we have discussed previously, there are multiple options for where to store CO2 in CCS scenarios. One such location is sometimes found when reviewing end of life oil or gas reservoirs looking for Geothermal opportunities and instead identifying a depleted reservoir suitable for CCS. The Circular Economy concept needs […]