Geothermal resources of the Wind River Basin, Wyoming

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5323091· OSTI ID:5323091

Hinckley, B S; Heasler, H P

The geothermal resources of the Wind River Basin were investigated. Oil-well bottom-hole temperatures, thermal logs of wells, and heat flow data have been interpreted within a framework of geologic and hydrologic constraints. Basic thermal data, which includes the background thermal gradient and the highest recorded temperature and corresponding depth for each basin, is tabulated. Background heat flow in the Wind River Basin is generally insufficient to produce high conductive gradients. Only where hydrologic systems re-distribute heat through mass movement of water will high temperatures occur at shallow depths. Aquifers which may have the confinement and structural characteristics necessary to create such geothermal systems are the Lance/Fort Union, Mesa Verde, Frontier, Muddy, Cloverly, Sundance, Nugget, Park City, Tensleep, Amsden, Madison, Bighorn, and Flathead Formations. Of these the Tensleep Sandstone and Madison Limestone are the most attractive in terms of both productivity and water quality. Most of the identified geothermal anomalies in the Wind River Basin occur along complex structures in the southwest and south. The most attractive geothermal prospects identified are anomalous Areas 2 and 3 north of Lander, Sweetwater Station Springs west of Jeffrey City, and the thermal springs southwest of Dubois. Even in these areas, it is unlikely temperatures in excess of 130 to 150/sup 0/F can be developed. 16 refs., 7 figs., 7 tabs. (ACR)

• Research Organization: Wyoming Univ., Laramie (USA). Dept. of Geology and Geophysics
• DOE Contract Number: FC07-79ID12026
• OSTI ID: 5323091
• Report Number(s): DOE/ID/12026-T14; ON: DE85016969
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
FEDERAL REGION VIII
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
GROUND WATER
Geothermal Legacy
HEAT FLOW
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLOGY
NORTH AMERICA
OIL WELLS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESOURCES
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
STRATIGRAPHY
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
TEMPERATURE LOGGING
THERMAL SPRINGS
USA
WATER
WATER SPRINGS
WELL LOGGING
WELLS
WYOMING