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Phase 2: Updated Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis of the Tularosa Basin, New Mexico

Journal Article · · Transactions - Geothermal Resources Council
OSTI ID:1766306
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [3];  [4];  [2];  [5]
  1. Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States); Ruby Mountain Inc.
  2. Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)
  3. Utah Geological Survey, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)
  4. Navy Geothermal Program Office (United States)
  5. Ruby Mountain Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (United States)
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Play fairway analysis (PFA) methodologies, both deterministic and stochastic, are being applied for medium to low enthalpy geothermal resources in the Tularosa Basin, in south-central New Mexico. These PFA methods use datasets representative of heat, groundwater and fault-fracture related permeability to locate areas with the lowest risk of geothermal energy development. Our Phase 1 PFAs predicted several plays throughout the study area, with a range of certainty and risk, based upon legacy data. In Phase 2, new data were collected for high priority plays and integrated into the PFAs to enhance certainty and further reduce risk. Field geology, gravity surveys and alluvial fan geomorphology supplemented the understanding of geologic structure and potential permeability, while additional well sampling, geothermometry and temperature logging provided valuable information about heat in the subsurface. In order to statistically compare and contrast the layers of evidence in the Tularosa Basin with the broader Great Basin, a probabilistic Weights of Evidence analysis was conducted in parallel with the inclusive and deterministic petroleum industry logic PFA. Both methods yielded 3 similar plays, while Weights of Evidence identified 2 additional plays. A sixth play was inferred around the NASA-Aerospace Data Facility Southwest site, north-east of Las Cruces, based on a promising shallow temperature survey, geothermometers, and structural interpretations of geophysical data. Here, the White Sands Missile Range main cantonment (headquarters) play is now given high priority, along with McGregor Range, Fort Bliss, due to the discovery of relatively high geothermometer values.

Research Organization:
Ruby Mountain Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Contributing Organization:
EGI at the University of Utah; Utah Geological Survey; U.S. Navy Geothermal Program Office
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0006730
OSTI ID:
1766306
Journal Information:
Transactions - Geothermal Resources Council, Journal Name: Transactions - Geothermal Resources Council Vol. 41; ISSN 0193-5933
Publisher:
Geothermal Resources CouncilCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Geothermal
Geothermal Exploration
New Mexico
Play Fairway Analysis
Tularosa
Weights of Evidence