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Title: Play-fairway analysis for geothermal exploration: Examples from the Great Basin, western USA

Abstract

Elevated permeability within fault systems provides pathways for circulation of geothermal fluids. Future geothermal development depends on precise and accurate location of such fluid flow pathways in order to both accurately assess geothermal resource potential and increase drilling success rates. The collocation of geologic characteristics that promote permeability in a given geothermal system define the geothermal ‘fairway’, the location(s) where upflow zones are probable and where exploration efforts including drilling should be focused. We define the geothermal fairway as the collocation of 1) fault zones that are ideally oriented for slip or dilation under ambient stress conditions, 2) areas with a high spatial density of fault intersections, and 3) lithologies capable of supporting dense interconnected fracture networks. Areas in which these characteristics are concomitant with both elevated temperature and fluids are probable upflow zones where economic-scale, sustainable temperatures and flow rates are most likely to occur. Employing a variety of surface and subsurface data sets, we test this ‘play-fairway’ exploration methodology on two Great Basin geothermal systems, the actively producing Brady’s geothermal system and a ‘greenfield’ geothermal prospect at Astor Pass, NV. These analyses, based on 3D structural and stratigraphic framework models, reveal subsurface characteristics about each system, well beyondmore » the scope of standard exploration methods. At Brady’s, the geothermal fairways we define correlate well with successful production wells and pinpoint several drilling targets for maintaining or expanding production in the field. In addition, hot-dry wells within the Brady’s geothermal field lie outside our defined geothermal fairways. At Astor Pass, our play-fairway analysis provides for a data-based conceptual model of fluid flow within the geothermal system and indicates several targets for exploration drilling.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [1]
  1. Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Geological Society of America
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE; USDOE EE Office of Geothermal Technologies (EE-2C)
Contributing Org.:
Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno
OSTI Identifier:
1110514
Report Number(s):
DOE-Pyramid-2842-dls-4
DOE Contract Number:  
EE0002842
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: Geological Society of American Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, 27–30 October 2013
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY; Geothermal, faults, Astor Pass, Bradys, Pyramid Lake Paiute, 3D Geologic Model, structural controls, Great Basin, fairway

Citation Formats

Siler, Drew L, and Faulds, James E. Play-fairway analysis for geothermal exploration: Examples from the Great Basin, western USA. United States: N. p., 2013. Web.
Siler, Drew L, & Faulds, James E. Play-fairway analysis for geothermal exploration: Examples from the Great Basin, western USA. United States.
Siler, Drew L, and Faulds, James E. 2013. "Play-fairway analysis for geothermal exploration: Examples from the Great Basin, western USA". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1110514.
@article{osti_1110514,
title = {Play-fairway analysis for geothermal exploration: Examples from the Great Basin, western USA},
author = {Siler, Drew L and Faulds, James E},
abstractNote = {Elevated permeability within fault systems provides pathways for circulation of geothermal fluids. Future geothermal development depends on precise and accurate location of such fluid flow pathways in order to both accurately assess geothermal resource potential and increase drilling success rates. The collocation of geologic characteristics that promote permeability in a given geothermal system define the geothermal ‘fairway’, the location(s) where upflow zones are probable and where exploration efforts including drilling should be focused. We define the geothermal fairway as the collocation of 1) fault zones that are ideally oriented for slip or dilation under ambient stress conditions, 2) areas with a high spatial density of fault intersections, and 3) lithologies capable of supporting dense interconnected fracture networks. Areas in which these characteristics are concomitant with both elevated temperature and fluids are probable upflow zones where economic-scale, sustainable temperatures and flow rates are most likely to occur. Employing a variety of surface and subsurface data sets, we test this ‘play-fairway’ exploration methodology on two Great Basin geothermal systems, the actively producing Brady’s geothermal system and a ‘greenfield’ geothermal prospect at Astor Pass, NV. These analyses, based on 3D structural and stratigraphic framework models, reveal subsurface characteristics about each system, well beyond the scope of standard exploration methods. At Brady’s, the geothermal fairways we define correlate well with successful production wells and pinpoint several drilling targets for maintaining or expanding production in the field. In addition, hot-dry wells within the Brady’s geothermal field lie outside our defined geothermal fairways. At Astor Pass, our play-fairway analysis provides for a data-based conceptual model of fluid flow within the geothermal system and indicates several targets for exploration drilling.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1110514}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Oct 27 00:00:00 EDT 2013},
month = {Sun Oct 27 00:00:00 EDT 2013}
}

Conference:
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