Exploration of Geothermal Systems through the Eyes of a Geothermal Consulting Company

Abstract

Exploration and resource-sue assessment of geothermal systems has changed considerably in the last ten years. This has occurred because loaning agencies, investors and developers require a sophisticated and rapid, scientific, conceptual-model assessment of systems, followed by simulations, to assess the likely performance of the system during exploitation. This need has promoted reasonably rapid resource-size determination and perhaps development prioritisation of several systems. The time frame requirement puts increased onus on any consulting company carrying out the exploration, scientific conceptual modelling, and resource simulation to determine the correct and most types of scientific surveys to utilise. These investigations must determine system boundaries and the general structure of the system and must locate and determine sites for exploration wells. The investigations must similarly predict the performance and behaviour of the reservoir under exploitation. A comprehensive scientific database associated with rapid interpretative methods for scientific information and results are a prerequisite for these studies to meet the necessary deadlines.