Discovering Blind Geothermal Resources by Exploring Buried Fault – a Case Study for Geothermal Drilling in Mukeng, China

Abstract

Geothermal drilling has found blind geothermal resources in Mukeng development zone of Heshan city. It located in southwest of Guangzhou city, at the centre of Guangdong province. Intrusive body of granite occupies vast area there. There was no hot spring and thermal well in this region over 3,000 km2. There is no stratigraphical thermal aquifer, too. Local investors intended to develop geothermal utilization in this region. Prefeasibility study showed a preliminary possibility there. Then, feasibility study was carried out with geology, geochemistry and geophysics. Most feasible well site was selected according to integrated analysis. Geothermal well drilling faced great challenge but got great success. The well with 1,617m depth has yielded geothermal water of 450m3/d at 51°C. Finding buried fault and drilling to penetrate it is the key solution.