Google.org US Resource Project Update

Frone, Zachary

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DOE OSTI · 1137019

Google.org US Resource Project Update

Frone, Zachary

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Abstract

The results from a new geothermal resource assessment of the United States, including for the first time detailed data for much of the eastern US, are summarized along with the techniques used to accomplish the assessment. Bottom hole temperature (BHT) data were incorporated in the eastern US, where conventional heat flow data is sparse, using BHT corrections and calculated conductivities from a regional lithology model; comparing results to overlapping conventional heat flow and BHT data for error calibration. A total of 5,000 points are now available in the northeast as opposed to the 1,000 used to produce the 2004 Geothermal Map of North America. Where neither heat flow or BHT data were not available, geophysical data (regional gravity and magnetics) were used as an ancillary predictor to the process for areas with sedimentary cover. The effectiveness of that process is demonstrated. This study uses the new heat flow data to improve the calculated heat in place to 10 km for the US. Based the preliminary results from this wok, the Appalachian Basin may contain some of the most favorable potential targets for EGS geothermal exploration in the eastern 1/3 of the United States and especially in eastern West Virginia, where temperatures of at least 150°C are predicted at a depth of 4.5 km in localized areas.

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Frone, Zachary. 2011-06-13. Google.org US Resource Project Update. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1137019

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