Hydro-Mechanical Selection Criteria of Engineered Geothermal Systems

Abstract

Stored heat geothermal resource estimates commonly extend across an extensive area and often contain more than one potential Geothermal play. It is critical tha an informed desicsion be made about which exploration Play has the best chance of commercial success. The decision might be between a deep Engineered Geothermal System (EGS) Play and a shallow Hot Sedimentary Aquifer (HSA) Play, or between several potential Plays at different levels. In any case, the critical parameters are resource temperature, depth and potential deliverability. A stored heat resource estimate constrains the first tow parameters, leaving deliverability as the key risk.