Three-Dimensional Geothermal Fairway Mapping: Examples From the Western Great Basin, USA
Conference
·
OSTI ID:1110515
- Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States). Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology; Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno
- Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States). Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology
Elevated permeability along fault systems provides pathways for circulation of geothermal fluids. Accurate location of such fluid flow pathways in the subsurface is crucial to future geothermal development in order to both accurately assess resource potential and mitigate drilling costs by increasing drilling success rates. Employing a variety of surface and subsurface data sets, we present detailed 3D geologic analyses of two Great Basin geothermal systems, the actively producing Brady’s geothermal system and a ‘greenfield’ geothermal prospect at Astor Pass, Nevada. 3D modeling provides the framework for quantitative structural analyses. We combine 3D slip and dilation tendency analysis along fault zones and calculations of fault intersection density in the two geothermal systems with the locations of lithologies capable of supporting dense, interconnected fracture networks. The collocation of these permeability promoting characteristics with elevated heat represent geothermal ‘fairways’, areas with ideal conditions for geothermal fluid flow. Location of geothermal fairways at high resolution in 3D space can help to mitigate the costs of geothermal exploration by providing discrete drilling targets and data-based evaluations of reservoir potential.
- Research Organization:
- Geothermal Resources Council, Davis, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Geothermal Technologies Office (EE-4G)
- Contributing Organization:
- Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno
- DOE Contract Number:
- EE0002842; FG36-08GO18200
- OSTI ID:
- 1110515
- Report Number(s):
- DOE-Pyramid--2842-dls-5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Play-fairway analysis for geothermal exploration: Examples from the Great Basin, western USA
Advancements in 3D Structural Analysis of Geothermal Systems
Discovering New Geothermal Systems In The Great Basin Region, Western USA: An Integrated Approach For Establishing Geothermal Play Fairways
Conference
·
Sun Oct 27 00:00:00 EDT 2013
·
OSTI ID:1110514
Advancements in 3D Structural Analysis of Geothermal Systems
Conference
·
Sun Jun 23 00:00:00 EDT 2013
·
OSTI ID:1110512
Discovering New Geothermal Systems In The Great Basin Region, Western USA: An Integrated Approach For Establishing Geothermal Play Fairways
Conference
·
Mon Nov 20 23:00:00 EST 2017
· Proceedings 39th New Zealand Geothermal Workshop
·
OSTI ID:1724109