Geothermal Opportunities of Southeastern United States

Abstract

This paper discusses Kentucky, Tennessee, northern Alabama and northern Mississippi, with concentration on Kentucky. The object of the overall project was to build an eastern US heat flow map. Variables studied included conductivities, bottom hole temperatures, existing heat flow data, lithologies and thicknesses, stratigraphic correlation, calculated resistances, depth and calculated heat flow. Purpose of study is for future development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems in the eastern United States. Kentucky was the focus for this study due to the amount of information available. With this focus there are three areas of interest that are shown to exhibit anomalies and are in need of further research to understand the geothermal significance of these anomalies. Along the Rough Creek fault zone high gradients are associated with deep wells. Although the heat flow map does not reflect this, the thick shale sections within this area may be the reason. Mid state has areas of high heat flow and don’t seem to be affected by the fault system (Cincinnati Arch) within the area. This mid state area does not have large beds of shale. The area of the Pine Mountain thrust fault has intermediate to high heat flow values and gradients. Ongoing research from others show that the West Virginia fault system that is a conjunction of the Pine Mountain fault system has high heat flow values as well. One conclusion is that with further information, research may also show high heat flow values from fault systems going into Tennessee along the eastern border of Tennessee and Kentucky.