Geothermal resources of Balcones-Ouachita trend, central Texas
The Balcones-Ouachita trend of central Texas is an often overlooked zone with great potential for widespread occurrence of low-temperature geothermal resources. The area with potential resources extends from north of Dallas to Del Rio. Thermal input to these systems is from the natural thermal gradient of the earth. Downdip movement of ground water from recharge zones to the west, or updip flow from overpressured zones within the Gulf Coast basin, are 2 possible sources for fluids. Permeability in these systems is typically stratigraphic, but local enhancement by fractures and faults aids fluid flow. Basal Cretaceous sandstones, such as the Hosston Formation and its lateral equivalents, and Cretaceous limestones, such as the Edwards formation, have identified resources. Resource models developed to date indicate higher temperatures where updip flow from the basin is enhanced by fault permeability. Recent tests of these resources include a geothermal well in Marlin, where the Hosston Formation produces 67/sup 0/C (153/sup 0/F) fluids from a depth of 1183 m (3881 ft), and a program conducted in the fall of 1983 to assess the geothermal characteristics of the Hosston Formation in the San Antonio area. Results of this program are still being evaluated. In the San Antonio area, warm waters have been produced from the Edwards formation.
- Research Organization:
- Earth Science Lab., Salt Lake City, UT
- OSTI ID:
- 6545943
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8405216-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 68:4; ISSN AAPGB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Volcanic rocks of the Balcones Fault region
Characterization of fractures in limestones - northern segment of Edwards aquifer and Balcones fault zone, central Texas
Related Subjects
150201* -- Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems-- USA-- (-1989)
CARBONATE ROCKS
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
FEDERAL REGION VI
FLUIDS
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
LIMESTONE
MESOZOIC ERA
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
TEXAS
USA