The Central Tasmanian Geothermal Anomaly: A Prospective New EGS Province in Australia

Abstract

Recent exploratory work undertaken by KUTh Energy Ltd across the eastern third of Tasmania has identified a new Australian geothermal province. Drilling and heat flow measurement on a 20 x 20km grid has defined a spatially continuous heat flow anomaly >90mWm-2 and over 4100km2 in extent. Interpretation of independent geophysical data (gravity) suggests that this anomaly is associated with the sub-cropping extension of high-heat-producing granite bodies known to occur in the north-east of the state. Buried beneath successive layers of around 1km of insulating Triassic-Permian sediments intruded by Jurassic dolerite dykes (Tasmanian Basin) and up to 5km of poorly constrained Ordovician-Devonian flysch, these granites present a significant target for Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) development. Information from recently completed geophysical surveys, including magneto-telluric (MT) data, has contributed to the knowledge and understanding of both the geothermal potential and the broader crustal architecture of this region.