Stratigraphic Reservoirs in the Great Basin--The Bridge to Development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems in the U.S.
- Key words
- Stratigraphic reservoirs; enhanced geothermal systems; geothermal resources; structure; stratigraphy; Great Basin; Basin and Range
- Location
- Black Rock Desert, Utah; Steptoe Valley, Nevada; Great Basin
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 2012
- Session
- Exploration; Sedimentary basins; Stratigraphy; Temperature g
- Language
- English
Abstract
Deep basins within the high heat flow parts of the Great Basin of the western U.S. may have stratigraphic reservoirs below about 3 km depth with temperatures of more than 150°C. These reservoirs are sub-horizontal and may be larger in area and geothermal power potential than the traditional fault-hosted hydrothermal reservoirs that have been developed in the past. The characteristics of two basins, Black Rock Desert, Utah, and north Steptoe Valley, Nevada are reviewed. Both basins have high temperatures and sufficient signs of stratigraphic permeability to justify more intensive investigation of their geothermal power potential. Other basins in the Great Basin appear to have similar characteristics and may also have significant potential. Stratigraphic reservoirs in the Great Basin could provide the next major increment in geothermal power production in the U.S.
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