Distribution,exploitation,and utilization of intermediate-to-deep geothermal resources in eastern China

The part of China,east of the Hu Huanyong Line,is commonly referred to as eastern China.It is characterized by a high population density and a well-developed economy;it also has huge energy demands.This study assesses and promotes the large-scale development of geothermal resources in eastern China by analyzing deep geological structures,geothermal regimes,and typical geothermal systems.These analyses are based on data collected from geotectology,deep geophysics,geothermics,structural geology,and petrology.Determining the distribution patterns of intermediate-to-deep geothermal resources in the region helps develop prospects for their exploitation and utilization.Eastern China hosts superimposed layers of rocks from three major,global tectonic domainsd namely Paleo-Asian,Circum-Pacific,and Tethyan rocks.The structure of its crust and mantle exhibits a special flyover pattern,with basins and mountains as well as well-spaced uplifts and depressions alternatively on top.The lithosphere in Northeast China and North China is characterized by a thin,low density crust and mantle,whereas the lithosphere in South China has a thin,low density crust and a thick,high density mantle.The middle and upper crust contain geobodies with high conductivity and low velocity,with varying degrees of development that create favorable conditions for the formation and enrichment of geothermal resources.Moderate-to-high temperature geothermal resources are distributed in the MesozoiceCenozoic basins in eastern China,although moderate temperature geothermal resources with low abundance dominate.Porous sandstone reservoirs,karstified fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs,and fissured granite reservoirs are the main types of geothermal reservoirs in this region.Under the currently available technical conditions,the exploitation and utilization of geothermal resources in eastern China favor direct utilization over large-scale geothermal power generation.In Northeast China and North China,geothermal resources could be applied for large-scale geothermal heating purposes;geothermal heating could be applied during winter along parts of the Yangtze River while geothermal cooling would be more suitable for summer there;geothermal cooling could also be applied to much of South China.Geothermal resources can also be applied to high value-added industries,to aid agricultural practices,and for tourism.

Deep bedrock geothermal resources in the Maichen Sag,Beibuwan Basin and their potential for exploitation and utilization

The Maichen Sag in the south-central part of the Beibuwan Basin is abundant in geothermal resources that have not been widely exploited and utilized due to inadequate research on it.This study evaluated the geothermal resources in the Maichen Sag based on the regional geological setting and geothermal conditions.Grid units for assessment and a geological model for areas with geothermal resources were established using spatial analysis techniques.The spatial distribution models of the physical and thermophysical properties of the geothermal reservoirs were also built using the Kriging interpolation method.Based on the terrestrial heat flow distribution in the target areas,the spatial distribution of the geo-temperature field through the inversion under the constraints of the temperature data from boreholes were predicted.Factors such as deep geo-temperature,thermophysical properties of rocks,and terrestrial heat flow values,were integrated into this quantitative evaluation of geothermal resources through the geological modeling-based volume method and the geothermal reservoir engineering-based numerical simulation method.The results show that the Maichen Sag has favorable heat source conditions with intersected,deep-rooted faults and widely developed Upper Paleozoic fissured granite geothermal reservoirs.The northern outer slope zone at a burial depth of 3‒5 km on the tectonic plane of the basement in the sag is suggested to be a potential target area,where,as calculated using the volume method,is likely to be the home to the total geothermal resources of 80.4×10^(9)GJ(i.e.,2.75×10^(9)tonnes of coal equivalent(tce))in the bedrock geothermal reservoirs at a burial depth of 3‒6 km.The geotemperature of 172‒201℃at a formation depth of 5 km in the sag also indicates that the deep geothermal resources are of high value for exploitation.

Deep geothermal resources in China:Potential,distribution,exploitation,and utilization

Deep geothermal resources mainly refer to the thermal energy stored in subsurface rocks and fluids therein at a depth of 3-10 km,which is a kind of renewable and sustainable clean energy unaffected by weather and seasonal changes.Large scale exploitation of the deep geothermal resources is of great significance to ensuring national energy security and achieving the“Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality”.Based on the latest terrestrial heat flow data,this paper estimated the potential of deep geothermal resources in the terrestrial areas of China,and the results show that the total amount of geothermal resources within 3e10 km under the Earth's surface in the terrestrial areas of China is 24.6×10^(15)GJ.In line with climate zones categorized,the geothermal resource proportion is 43.81%for severe cold regions,29.19%for cold regions,6.92%for mild regions,13.82%for hot summer and cold winter regions,and 6.26%for hot summer and warm winter regions.Statistics according to the burial depth range reveal that the resources within depth ranges of 3-5 km,5-7 km and 7-10 km under the Earth's surface are 4.3119×10^(15)GJ,6.37674×10^(15)GJ and 13.89594×10^(15)GJ respectively,showing an increasing trend of geothermal potential with increasing burial depth.The deep geothermal resources are mainly of medium-to-high temperature reserves,and the energy supply strategy can be optimized by combining the climate conditions and population distribution,as well as considering power generation.In regions of cold or severe cold climate,the geothermal resources may be applied to geothermal power generation and district heating in combination;in regions of hot summer and cold winter or mild climates,the resources can be used for geothermal power generation combined with cooling and heating;in regions of hot summer and warm winter climates,the resources may be applied to geothermal power generation combined with cooling and industrial and agricultural utilization.Exploitation of deep geothermal resources also can be combined with carbon dioxide sequestration,multi-mineral resources extraction and energy storage to realize comprehensive exploitation and utilization of various energy resources.It is suggested that theoretical technology research should be combined with pilot tests and field demonstrations,and large-scale economic exploitation of deep geothermal resources should be arranged in a coordinated manner,following the principles of overall planning and step-by-step implementation.

The status quo and prospect of geothermal resources exploration and development in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in China

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region boasts rich geothermal resources and new achievements have been made in the exploration and development of geothermal resources in this region based on previous regional investigation.In detail,geothermal reservoirs of Gaoyuzhuang Formation of Jixian System and Changcheng System in Xiongan New Area have been recently discovered,opening up the second space of geothermal resources;the calculation method of the recoverable resources of geothermal fluid with reinjection being considered has been improved in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region,and uniform comprehensive assessment of shallow geothermal energy,hydrothermal geothermal resources,and hot dry rocks(HDR)geothermal resources in the whole Beijing-Tianjin-Shijiazhuang region has been completed.The scientific research base for cascade development and utilization of geothermal resources in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has applied hydraulic fracturing technology to the geothermal reservoirs in Gaoyuzhuang Formation.As a result,the production capacity doubled and two-stage cascade utilization composed of geothermal power generation and geothermal heating were realized,with the first-phase installed capacity of 280 kW and the geothermal heating is 30000 m2.In this way,a model of the exploration,development,and utilization of geothermal resources formed.Large-scale utilization has become the future trend of geothermal resource development in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region,and great efforts shall be made to achieve breakthroughs in reinjection technology,geothermal reservoir reconstruction technology,thermoelectric technology and underground heat exchange technology.

Characteristics of geothermal reservoirs and utilization of geothermal resources in the southeastern coastal areas of China

Based on regional geological setting, stratigraphic distribution and other geological conditions, this paper summarized three types of geothermal reservoirs in the southeast coastal areas of China: Cenozoic sandstone or sandy conglomerate reservoir, Mesozoic granite fissure reservoir and Paleozoic karst reservoir. Cenozoic sandstone or sandy conglomerate reservoirs are mainly located in Cenozoic basins, such as Zhangzhou, Fuzhou, Sanshui and Leiqiong basins. The Tertiary sedimentary basins such as Leiqiong Basin and Sanshui Basin, are controlled by NE-trending faults, while the Quaternary sedimentary such as Zhangzhou and Fuzhou basins are controlled by NW-trending faults. Mesozoic granite fissure reservoirs are mainly distributed in the southeast coastal areas, such as Zhangzhou, Fuzhou, Fengshun, Yangjiang and southern part of Hainan Province. The distribution of good Mesozoic granite fissure reservoir in these areas is mainly controlled by NE-trending faults. Paleozoic carbonate reservoirs are widely distributed in these areas. Most carbonate rocks are from the upper Paleozoic strata, such as those in the area of Huizhou in Guangdong Province. The major types of geothermal systems in the southeast coastal areas of China belong to medium and low-temperature convection. The geothermal resources developed from the ground to-3 000 m underground could be utilized directly for space heating, greenhouse heating, aquaculture pond heating and industrial uses, as well as other purposes. The geothermal resources with a depth of 3 000~6 000 m underground is mainly featured by Hot Dry Rock(HDR) with a temperature ranges from 150 ℃ to 200 ℃, which is conductive to the development of Enhanced Geothermal System(EGS) and can be utilized for power generation.

Non-seismic geophysical analysis of potential geothermal resources in the Longgang Block,Northeast China

Although geothermal energy has many clear advantages,including its sustainability and environmentally friendly nature,research into potential geothermal resources across the Longgang Block,Northeast China,has been limited.Here we present the first analysis of the potential geothermal resources in this region that employs joint geological and non-seismic geophysical methods to identify target areas that may be economically viable.We acquire and analyze high-precision gravity,magnetic,and magnetotelluric sounding data,which are constrained using the petrophysical parameters of outcropping rocks across the Longgang Block,to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the region’s deep geological structures and their geothermal resources potential,with a focus on identifying faults,rock masses,and thermal storage structures.We find that Archean granitic gneiss and Mesozoic rock masses in the deeper section of the Longgang Block possess weak gravity anomalies and high resistivities.We also identify thermal storage structures near these deeper geological units based on their extremely low resistivities.The data are used to infer the dip and depth of known or hidden faults,to constrain the spatial distribution of intrusive rock masses,and to determine the spatial distribution of subsurface thermal storage structures.The potential of the target areas for geothermal resources exploitation is divided into three grades based on contact depths between faults and thermal storage structures,and the scale of their thermal storage structures.Our results suggest that a joint non-seismic geophysical approach can be effective in locating and evaluating geothermal resources in complex geological settings.

Reconnaissance investigation of geothermal resources in parts of the Middle Benue Trough, Nigeria using remote sensing and geophysical methods

In Nigeria,the basement complex and the sedimentary basins house many thermal springs which are physical manifestations of geothermal energy.However,there are difficulties in accessing the sustain-ability of these resources due to ethical and security issues as well as limited data in Nigeria.Thus,identifying the precise location,temperature,and energy potential on a large scale has been a major drawback.This paper is the preliminary investigation of geothermal potential in parts of the Middle Benue Trough using satellite imagery,geology,regional gravity,and high-resolution aeromagnetic data.Landsat 8 scene was used to estimate the Land Surface Temperature(LST)in ArcGIS^(TM).Selected sites were classified as very low,low,moderate,and high LST.The intermediate and high classes happen to be possible geothermal zones,and they occupy 49% of the study area(38,077 km^(2)).The Riverline was superimposed on the LST,and the high-temperature sites were located by the identification tool.Streams/river data overlapped on the selected sites were regarded as thermal/warm springs.Remarkably,the LST results show lower temperatures(<36℃)at the famous thermal springs(Awe and Wukari)than some unknown rivers/streams found in Kwande(38℃),Ussa,(38℃),Gwer East(37℃),Yola Cross and Ogoja(36℃).Furthermore,the geophysical datasets,regional gravity,and high-resolution aeromagnetic data were interpolated to delineate the subsurface features associated with geothermal manifestations.The four layers from the LST were further evaluated using the geophysical approach.Gravity and mag-netic values revealed variations that could be linked to geothermal alterations.The correlation of the geophysical anomalies and LST with the geology of the study area uncovers essential information on energy potentials.Therefore,further investigation is required to estimate the depth of the causative body,the geothermal gradients,and the reservoir volumes.

Investigation Method and Utilization Mode of Geothermal Resources in Abandoned Mines in Huainan and Huaibei

With the depletion of coal resources due to excessive exploitation and the increasing adjustment of the national energy structure, in response to the call of national policy, some mines are forced to close, and the reuse of abandoned mine resources plays an important role in the sustainable development of mining industry. This paper analyzes the general situation of abandoned mines in Huainan and Huaibei, elaborates the research methods of geothermal temperature and calculation methods of geothermal reserves in abandoned mines, analyzes and studies the utilization prospect of geothermal resources in abandoned mines in Huainan and Huaibei, and draws the following conclusions: the temperature of geothermal resources in abandoned mines in Huainan and Huaibei is 25&#8451;- 60&#8451;, which belongs to the moderate-hot water and warm water resources in low-temperature geothermal resources, and can be used for geothermal heating, industrial geothermal and entertainment industries. Based on the previous experience in geothermal resource utilization mode, this paper provides theoretical and technical support for the demonstration project of resource utilization and development of abandoned mines in the Huainan and Huaibei mining areas.

Structural Controls Analysis and Its Correlation with Geothermal Occurrence at Barrier Volcanic Complex (BVC), Turkana, Kenya

Geothermal is a clean energy source that is freely available in the subsurface. The exploitation of this vital resource needs intensive exploration in order to identify and quantify its occurrence. The three parameters considered when assessing the viability of a geothermal system include;heat source, fractures and fluids. Geological structures are important in transportation of fluids to and from the heat source aiding in recharge of the geothermal system and enhancing productivity. Remote sensing method was applied in mapping the structures at Barrier Volcanic Complex (BVC) by using hill shading technique which utilized four illumination angles of the sun (azimuth) i.e. 45°, 90°, 150°, and 315°, constant elevation of 45° and exaggeration of 10. The data used was Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) Satellite Imagery. ArcGIS Software was used for lineaments delineation and density mapping, PCI Geomatica was used to generate major faults, while Georose and Rockworks 17 were used to generate the rose diagrams. Geological structural analysis was done by delineating lineaments, determining the density distribution of lineaments and finally determining the structural trends of lineaments. The generated major faults in the area and the location of the occurrence of surface manifestations were compared with the generated lineaments. A total of 260 lineaments were generated whereby at 45° there was a total of 60 lineaments, at 90° 95 lineaments, at 150° 61 lineaments, and at 315° 44 lineaments. The results of structural analysis in the area as shown by the rose diagrams indicate an NNE-SSW and N-S trending of structures. In conclusion, the study area is highly fractured as indicated by the presence of numerous lineaments. These lineaments provide good recharge to the geothermal system and enhance the geothermal reservoir in the area.

Geothermal-type Lithium Resources in Southern Xizang,China

High-temperature geothermal water has abundant lithium(Li)resources,and research on the development and utilization of geothermal-type lithium resources around the world are increasing.The Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau contains huge geothermal resources;especially,Li-rich geothermal resources in southern Xizang,southwestern China,are widely developed.The Li-rich geothermal spots in Xizang are mainly distributed on both sides and to the south of the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone.Such resources are often found in the intensely active high-temperature Li-rich geothermal fields and,compared with other Li-rich geothermal fields around the world,the Li-rich geothermal fluid in the Xizang Plateau,southern Xizang is characterized by good quality:the highest reported Li concentration is up to 239 mg/L;the Mg/Li ratio is extremely low and ranges from 0.03 to 1.48 for most of the Li-rich geothermal fluid;the Li/TDS value is relatively high and ranges from 0.25–1.14%compared to Zhabuye Li-rich salt lake(0.19%)and Salar de Uyuni(Bolivia)(0.08–0.31%).Continuous discharge has been stable for at least several decades,and some of them reach industrial grades of salt lake brine(32.74 mg/L).In addition,elements such as boron(B),caesium(Cs),and rubidium(Rb)are rich and can be comprehensively utilized.Based on still-incomplete statistics,there are at least 16 large-scale Li-rich hot springs with lithium concentration of 20 mg/L or more.The total discharge of lithium metal is about 4300 tons per year,equivalent to 25,686 tons of lithium carbonate.Drilling data has shown that the depth is promising and there is a lack of volcanism(non-volcanic geothermal system).With a background of the partial-melting lower crust caused by the collision of the Indo-Asia continent and based on a comprehensive analysis of the tectonic background of southern Xizang and previous geological,geophysical,and geothermal research,deep molten magma seems to provide a stable heat source for the high-temperature Li-rich geothermal field.The Li-rich parent geothermal fluid rushes to the surface to form hot springs along the extensively developed tectonic fault zones in southern Xizang;some of the Li-rich fluid flows in to form Li-rich salt lakes.However,most of the Li-rich geothermal fluid is remitted to seasonal rivers and has not been effectively exploited,resulting in great waste.With the continuous advance of lithium extraction technologies in Li-rich geothermal fluid,the lithium resource in geothermal water is promising as a new geothermal type of mineral deposit,which can be effectively exploited.This is the first study to undertake a longitudinal analysis on the characteristics,distribution and scale,origin and utilization prospects of Li-rich geothermal resources in southern Xizang,research that will contribute to a deeper understanding of Li-rich geothermal resources in the area and attract attention to these resources in China.

Characteristics of geothermal field and evaluation of geothermal resource potential in the Yingjiang Basin

Geothermal resource,a green and sustainable energy resource,plays an important role in achieving‘emission peak’and‘carbon neutrality’targets.The Yingjiang Basin is located in the eastern branch of the Mediterranean-Himalayan high-temperature geothermal belt and exhibits considerable potential for geothermal resources.However,current investigations into the distribution of deep geothermal resources in this region are somewhat limited.In this paper,the transient plane source(TPS)method is used to measure the thermal conductivity parameters of 31 rock samples within the study area.Additionally,the one-dimensional steady-state heat conduction equation is employed to calculate the deep geothermal field,considering the constraints of rock thermal properties and terrestrial heat flow in the study area.Furthermore,the“stripping method”is used to determine the contribution rate of sedimentary layer to terrestrial heat flow,while the volume method is applied to estimate the geothermal resources at burial depths of 3000-5000 m.The results show that(1)The heat generation rate of granite is the highest with an average value of 4.52 mW/m^(3),followed by gneiss with an average value in the range of 2.0-3.5 W/(m·K),mudstone and sandstone being the lowest with an average value between 1.0 and 2.0 W/(m·K).(2)The main contributor of terrestrial heat flow in the study area is mantle heat flow,and the contribution of sedimentary layers to terrestrial heat flow only accounts for about 2%.(3)The geothermal resources in Yingjiang Basin within the depth range of 3000-5000 m is 93.6×10^(15)kJ,or 3.2×10^(9)tonnes standard coal equivalent(SCE).

Evaluation of shallow geothermal energy resources in the Beijing-Tianjin- Hebei Plain based on land use

To discover the characteristics,distribution and potential of shallow geothermal energy in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Plain area.This paper,based on a large amount of data collection and field investigations,evaluateed the shallow-layer geothermal energy in the study area through the analytic hierarchy process and comprehensive index method.Based on suitability zoning results superimposed with 1:100000 land use data,the study area is divided into encouraged,controlled,restricted and prospective mining areas regarding the development of shallow geothermal energy,and the economic availability of shallow geothermal energy in the encouraged and controlled areas are evaluated.The results show that the shallow geothermal energy in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Plain can meet the heating and cooling demand of 6×10^(8) m2 of buildings,equivalent to 1.15×10^(7) t of standard coal,thus reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 2.73×10^(7) t and reducing sulfur dioxide emissions by 1.95×10^(5) t.According to the development and utilization mode,the energy demand level and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development plan,the development and utilization of geothermal resources in the plain area has two types:Urban concentrated mining areas and rural scattered mining areas.The scale and level of intensive utilization of regional geothermal resources are of great significance.

Integrated application of gravity,aeromagnetic,and electromagnetic methods in exploring the Ganzi geothermal field,Sichuan Province,China

The Ganzi geothermal field is located in the Songpan-Ganzi orogenic belt in Sichuan Province.Many hot springs are exposed along the Yalahe valley in Ganzi geothermal field,which is a favorable area for hightemperature geothermal resource exploration.However,the geological model of heat exchange,the regional structure controlling hydrothermal convection and the development model of geothermal reservoirs are still unclear.Therefore,further studies are necessary to meet the geothermal exploration requirements in the middle and deep strata of this geothermal field.In this study,a geological model of the geothermal system of Ganzi geothermal field is proposed.We are convinced that there exists a hydrothermal convection system in the Ganzi geothermal field,the heat transfer of which is accomplished through deep-rooted major faults.Therefore,the identification of deep-rooted major faults and the description of geothermal reservoirs are the research objects of the integrated geophysical methods.The main factors controlling the geothermal reservoirs in the deep-rooted Xianshuihe major fault and Yalahe fault zones are analyzed by using gravity,aeromagnetic,and electromagnetic methods and techniques.The analysis results of regional gravity and aeromagnetic anomalies show that the Xianshuihe major fault has produced obvious gravity and aeromagnetic anomalies on the surface,and thus the position and strike of this fault can be accurately predicted by inversion of the aeromagnetic anomalies.Geothermal reservoirs show low-resistivity anomalies in the electromagnetic profile.The inversion results of the controlled source audio-frequency magnetotelluric(CSAMT)data show that geothermal reservoirs are mainly developed along the Yalahe valley,and the west side of the valley is more favorable for geothermal exploration.This study is of guiding significance to the efficient exploitation and utilization of the Ganzi geothermal field.

Catalog of Enhanced Geothermal Systems based on Heat Sources

It is common sense that a deeper well implies higher temperature in the exploration of deep geothermal resources, especially with hot dry rock(HDR) geothermal resources, which are generally exploited in terms of enhanced geothermal systems(EGS). However, temperature is always different even at the same depth in the upper crust due to different heat sources. This paper summarizes the heat sources and classifies them into two types and five sub-types: crustorigin(partial melting, non-magma-generated tectonic events and radiogenic heat production), and mantle-origin(magma and heat conducted from the mantle). A review of global EGS sites is presented related to the five sub-types of heat sources. According to our new catalog, 71% of EGS sites host mantle-origin heat sources. The temperature logging curves indicate that EGS sites which host mantle-origin magma heat sources have the highest temperature. Therefore, high heat flow(>100 m W/m^(2)) regions with mantle-origin magma heat sources should be highlighted for the future exploration of EGS. The principle to identify the heat source is elucidated by applying geophysical and geochemical methods including noble gas isotope geochemistry and lithospheric thermal structure analysis. This analytical work will be helpful for the future exploration and assessment of HDR geothermal resources.

Geology and development of geothermal field in Neogene Guantao Formation in northern Bohai Bay Basin: A case of the Caofeidian geothermal heating project in Tangshan, China

Taking the Gaoshangpu-Liuzan geothermal field in the Nanpu sag of the Bohai Bay Basin as the research object, this paper discusses the geological conditions and potential of the geothermal resources of the Guantao Formation in the study area, and introduces the development practice of geothermal energy heating in Caofeidian. The average buried depth of the Guantao Formation is 1500–2500 m, the lithology is dominated by sandy conglomerate, and the average thickness of thermal reservoir is 120–300 m. The average porosity of thermal reservoir is 28%–35%, the permeability is(600–2000)×10^(-3) μm^(2), and the temperature of thermal reservoir is 70–110 ℃. The formation has total geothermal resources of 13.79×10^(18) J, equivalent to 4.70×10^(8) t of standard coal. Based on a large amount of seismic and drilling data from oil and gas exploration, this study carried out high quality target area selection, simulation of sandstone thermal reservoir, and production and injection in the same layer. The geothermal heating project with distributed production and injection well pattern covering an area of 230×10^(4) m^(2) was completed in the new district of Caofeidian in 2018. The project has been running steadily for two heating seasons, with an average annual saving of 6.06×10^(4) t of standard coal and a reduction of 15.87×10^(4) t of carbon dioxide, achieving good economic and social benefits. This project has proved that the Neogene sandstone geothermal reservoir in eastern China can achieve sustainable large-scale development by using the technology of "balanced production and injection in the same layer". It provides effective reference for the exploration and development of geothermal resource in oil and gas-bearing basins in eastern China.

Geochemical characteristics of geothermal water in Weiyuan geothermal field, Huzhu County, Qinghai Province

According to the chemical composition of thermal water from Geothermal Well DR2010 located in the Weiyuan Geothermal Field of Huzhu County in Qinghai Province, the groundwater recharge, age and geothermal resource potential of the thermal water are discussed by using the methods of Langelier-Ludwig Diagram, isotopic hydrology and geochemical thermometric scale. The analysis results indicate that the Weiyuan Geothermal Field is located in the northern fringe of Xining Basin, where the geothermal water, compared with that located in the central area of Xining Basin, is characterized by greater water yield, shallower buried depth of thermal reservoir and easier exploitation. Due to its active exchange with the modern cold water, the thermal water here shows relatively younger age. These findings provide a hydro-geochemical evidence for the exploitation of Weiyuan Geothermal Field.

Fracture Characteristics and Heat Accumulation of Jixianian Carbonate Reservoirs in the Rongcheng Geothermal Field, Xiong'an New Area

Geothermal energy plays an important role in urban construction of the Xiong’an New Area. Geothermal reservoir fracture distribution of the Mesoproterozoic Jixianian Wumishan Formation(Fm.) carbonate reservoir in the Rongcheng geothermal field are evaluated based on FMI log from Wells D19 and D21. The results show carbonate reservoir fracture density of Well D19 is 15.2/100 m, greater than that of Well D21 with a value of 9.2/100 m. Reservoir porosity and permeability of Well D19 are better than that of Well D21, and the water saturation is bimodally distributed. The movable fluid volume ratio(BVM) of Well D19 is 2% to 8% with some zones exceeding 20%, while the value of Well D21 is less than 4%. Therefore, reservoir fractures in Well D19 are more conducive to fluid flow. Reservoir fractures have a similar occurrence to normal faults, indicating that the tensile stress field controlled the formation of such fractures. Developed reservoir fractures provide a good channel for groundwater convection. The circulation of regional groundwater and the heat exchange between water and rock and the multiple heat accumulation patterns form a stable and high potential heat reservoir in the Rongcheng geothermal field.

Improved Preproduction Conceptual-Numerical Model of the Roosevelt Geothermal Field using Geological, Geochemical and Structural Information

The Roosevelt Hot Springs Known Geothermal Resource Area(KGRA) is a Basin and Range-type geothermal resource, which is located in southwestern Utah. The integrated multicomponent geothermometry(IMG) approach is used to estimate the reservoir temperature at the Roosevelt Hot Springs KGRA. Geothermometric modeling results indicate the deep reservoir temperature is approximately 284.6°C. A conceptual model of the Roosevelt Hot Spring KGRA is provided through integrating the various pieces of exploration information, including the geological data, geothermometric results, temperature well log and field evidence. A two-dimensional cross-sectional model was thus built to quantitatively investigate the coupled thermal-hydraulic processes in the Roosevelt geothermal field. By matching the preproduction temperature log data of deep wells, parameters controlling flow and heat transport are identified. The method and model presented here may be useful for other geothermal fields with similar conditions.

Using TOUGH2 numerical simulation to analyse the geothermal formation in Guide basin,China

The Guide sedimentary basin is located in the northeastern part of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,which is rich in geothermal resources.However,exploitation of the geothermal resources has so far been limited,because of limited understanding of the resources quantity and storage gained from scientific researches.In this study,using a typical cross section across the basin and taking into account its geothermal and geological conditions,a new waterheat coupled model was built and associated modelling was done by the software TOUGH2.During modelling process,the accuracy and applicability of the model was confirmed through the calibration of relevant parameters for modelling the heat and water transport and the formation of geothermal reservoir across the basin,with particular focus on the Neogene geothermal field.Results show that the groundwater that flows from the basin margins to the center is heated by the Neogene and Paleogene sedimentary rocks with high geothermal gradients.Since the east-west extending fault F1 is conductive,it acts as preferential flow paths which on one hand provide additional and rapid flows to the thermal reservoir;and on the other hand,cool down the thermal water to a certain extent due to the infiltration of shallower water sources in the vicinity of the fault.Furthermore,the estimated geothermal resources quantity is close to that of previous studies.In comparison with the Paleogene rock formations,the Neogene geothermal reservoir shows a better nature in terms of water content,aquifer permeability and resources exploitability,although the resource quantity of the Paleogene reservoir is considerable.