Are the Columbia River Basalts, Columbia Plateau, Oregon and Washington, USA, a Viable Geothermal Target? A Preliminary Analysis

Abstract

The successful development of a geothermal electric power generation facility relies on (1) the identification of sufficiently high temperatures at an economically viable depth and (2) the existence of or potential to create a permeable zone (permeability more than 10-14 m2) of sufficient size to allow efficient extraction of heat from the reservoir host rock. If both occur, development of geothermal resources at depth under the Columbia Plateau has the potential to expand both the magnitude and spatial extent of geothermal energy production. However, a number of outstanding scientific and technical issues must be resolved in order to better evaluate the likelihood that the Columbia River Basalt or deeper geologic units under the Columbia Plateau are viable geothermal targets. Recent research has demonstrated that heat flow beneath the Columbia Plateau Regional Aquifer System may be higher than previously measured in relatively shallow (