Low-cost Software for 3D Geothermal Data Visualization and Model Construction

Abstract

Integrated 3D visualization of complex, multi-component geoscience datasets can be quite useful to geothermal exploration efforts by allowing geoscientists to see and interpret geo-spatial relationships in their proper 3D context. Advanced software tools with 3D geoscience capabilities have been used in the oil & gas and mineral exploration sectors for decades, but these software tools can be quite costly. Early-stage geothermal exploration programs already face significant development barriers related to the high upfront cost of drilling and high exploration risk. Expensive 3D software tools can be yet another barrier for early-stage, geothermal projects that run on shoestring exploration budgets. In the initial stages of exploration at a geothermal prospect, a helpful software tool requires two features: 1) the ability to visualize many types of imported geoscience data (e.g. point locations, geologic maps, cross-sections, 3D surfaces, wellpaths, block models) and 2) a method to construct geoscience interpretations based upon the various 3D datasets (e.g. draw lines, build fault surfaces and 3D geologic contacts). For over 3 years, the author has been using a low-cost (less than US$1,000) 3D design software, called Rhino3D, for the purposes of 3D geothermal data visualization and model construction. This software has been used successfully to: a) build and visualize high-resolution digital elevation models, b) build 3D geothermal wellfields annotated with multi-parameter downhole data along 3D wellpaths, c) construct 3D geologic models from 2D geologic cross-sections and well data, d) visualize geophysical data and models as colored points, cross-sections, or 3D block models (e.g. gravity, magnetic, resistivity models), and e) visualize the results of 3D reservoir models (i.e. temperature and permeability) in the context of the 3D static geologic model. This paper provides several examples of the use of the low-cost software Rhino3D for geothermal exploration.