Australian Experiences in EGS Permeability Enhancement – A Review of Three Case Studies

Abstract

Geothermal Energy exploration activities commenced in Australia in the year 2000, with all of the projects undertaken since then focussing on developing Engineered Geothermal System (EGS) or Hot Sedimentary Aquifer (HSA) resources. To date, ten wells have been drilled to, or close to, EGS reservoir depths and of those, seven have had hydraulic stimulation operations performed in order to characterise and enhance permeability of the reservoir zone. Although all these wells are located within South Australia, they test conditions at three geographically separate areas with markedly different geology. This paper reviews the activities and results of drilling and stimulation at these three locations, namely; Geodynamics Limited\'s Habanero Project in the Cooper Basin, Petratherm Limited\'s Paralana Project in the northern Flinders Ranges and Green Rock Energy Limited\'s Olympic Dam Project on the Gawler Craton.