Geothermal Subsurface Characterization: Geology & Geophysics Workshop
The GEODE Consortium is excited to present a workshop coordinated by its member, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), addressing a pressing need within the geoscience community: hands-on, example-driven sessions to better understand the particularities of geothermal subsurface characterization and to boost the public’s awareness of geothermal technology. This workshop aims to bridge that gap, catering to both early-career professionals and experienced geoscientists seeking to enter the promising field of geothermal energy.
Event Details:
- Dates: February 26th – 27th, 2025
- Format: Virtual workshop
What to Expect
This two-day workshop will explore a range of engaging topics related to subsurface characterization for geothermal applications. Participants will gain insights from technical talks and materials, real-world examples, and interactive Q&A sessions.
This workshop is open to students, geoscientists, engineers, and anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of geothermal energy. Learn how to grow and adapt your skills to succeed in this renewable energy sector.
Everyone is welcome! More information follows, including the agenda and the registration link.
The sessions will consist of 1-hour sessions with 15-minute breaks in between.
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Agenda
Day 1: February 26th, 2025 (10:00 AM – 1:30 PM CST)
Time (CST): 10 am – 11 am
Speaker: Eric Stautberg, Colorado School of Mines
Overview of Geothermal Systems and Basic Subsurface Characterization in Sedimentary Basins
Summary: An overview of all types of geothermal systems with an emphasis on sedimentary basins by leveraging oil and gas data for geothermal prospecting. Includes a case study in South Texas and practical skills like where the temperature data comes from, acquiring bottom hole temperature (BHT) measurements, BHT correction methods, and challenges to temperature correction.
Practical Skills: Acquiring BHT measurements and correction methods in sedimentary basins.
15-minute break
Time (CST): 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Speaker: John Holbrook, Ph.D., Texas Christian University (TCU)
Lithologies, Reservoir Architecture, Fluid Flow and Thermal Behavior
Summary: Fundamentals about the whys and whats of the subsurface, how rocks become rocks, what causes connectivity vs heterogeneity, things that control flow paths, and pointers and pitfalls of setting up storage and flow.
Practical Skills: Applying reservoir models to the subsurface: How is it done? Where do you get the information and data you need? How are these mapped?
15-minute break
Time (CST): 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Speaker: Kellen Gunderson, Ph.D., Projeo Corporation
Case Studies in Subsurface Characterization for Geothermal Exploration, Development, and Operations
Summary:
- Define geothermal resource types and end uses: Hydrothermal, sedimentary, enhanced geothermal systems, closed-loop geothermal, and electricity vs. direct-use applications.
- Hydrothermal exploration workflow (temperature gradient drilling, geothermometry, electromagnetic and gravity data, etc.)
- Sedimentary exploration workflow.
- Case study examples.
Practical Skills: Reservoir identification and classification skills. Workflow development basics. Learning about the tools and where to get the information.
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Day 2: February 27th, 2025 (10:00 AM – 2:45 PM CST)
Time (CST): 10 am – 11 am
Speaker: Jon McKenna, Ph.D., MicroSeismic, Inc.
Fracture Detection, Mapping, and Characterization in Geothermal Reservoirs
Summary: Will provide a review of fractures in geothermal reservoirs, both natural and induced, and will discuss the information needed for fracture characterization, as well as measuring and monitoring induced fractures. Session will include how and where to get data sets, or how data is acquired using microseismic or distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), including a quick description of how a DAS interrogator works.
Practical Skills: Fracture identification and characterization skills; how induced fractures work and how they are detected and monitored
15-minute break
Time (CST): 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Speaker: Steve Tedesco, Ph.D., Running Foxes Petroleum
Geological Considerations in Converting an Oil Well to a Geothermal Well
Summary: The criteria for converting an oil well into a geothermal well; examples, case studies, and considerations. Direct use (greenhouse in Osage County, Oklahoma; potential use of high-volume flow from transition zones for district heat, etc.).
Practical Skills: Checklist of necessary conditions for produced water from an oil well to be converted into a geothermal well.
15-minute break
Time (CST): 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Speaker: Joseph Batir, Ph.D., Teverra
Offshore Geothermal Energy
Summary: The northern Gulf of Mexico contains geopressured zones with a relatively high geothermal temperature gradient, with depths ranging from 3 - 6 km and reservoir fluid temperatures from 90 to 200 degrees C. The Eocene and Miocene sands in these reservoirs, which are geopressured due to confining shale layers, also extend to offshore reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico. This session will review the information needed and workflows for developing offshore geothermal resources.
Practical Skills: Checklist of data required for evaluating prospective offshore geothermal wells, and preliminary workflow development, with special consideration of geomechanics.
15-minute break
Time (CST): 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm
Speaker: Steve Tedesco, Ph.D., Running Foxes Petroleum
AI for Candidate and Site Selection using Subsurface Data and Reservoir Characterization in a Map Augmented Framework
Summary: Discover how to analyze well and temperature data to identify prime candidates for retrofitting oil and gas wells to geothermal. Learn to effectively use the essential tools and data, gain actionable insights.
Practical Skills:
1. Modular and task focused
2. Connectic data to perform techno-economic analysis
3. Unlocking collective intelligence de-risking geothermal development