GeoscienceGeoscience Needs for Geothermal Energy Needs for Geothermal Energy DevelopmentDevelopment

in Western Canadain Western Canada October 16October 16--17, 2008 Vancouver B.C.17, 2008 Vancouver B.C.

Geothermal Potential of Sedimentary BasinsGeothermal Potential of Sedimentary Basins

Dr. Dr. JacekJacek MajorowiczMajorowicz

1984A review of the state of the current - knowledge and trends

Heat flow map of N. AmericaHeat flow map of N. America --a result of cooperation of US and Canadian a result of cooperation of US and Canadian

scientistsscientists

Canadian heat flow dataCanadian heat flow data

Modified Canadian heat flow mapModified Canadian heat flow map

GeoscienceGeoscience Needs for Geothermal Energy Needs for Geothermal Energy DevelopmentDevelopment

in Western Canadain Western Canada

Geothermal Potential of Sedimentary Basins Geothermal Potential of Sedimentary Basins -- three levels of research :three levels of research :

1.1. Shallow geothermal heatShallow geothermal heat

2.2. MidMid--depths depths -- low enthalpy geothermal heating systemslow enthalpy geothermal heating systems

3.3. Deep heat to produce electricity (EGS systems)Deep heat to produce electricity (EGS systems)

1.1. ShallowShallow geothermalgeothermal heatheat 2.2. MidMid--depths depths -- low enthalpylow enthalpy

Shallow TShallow T--z logsz logs

4.5 5.5 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5temperature, °C

200

150

100

50

0

dept

h, m

4.5 5.5 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5

200

150

100

50

0

Winagami -the whole profiles

199319952004

°C at -50

-16-14-12-10-8.0-6.0-4.0-2.00.02.04.06.08.010.012.014.016.0

NAIN N.F.

-30-20-10

0102030

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

MONTH

TEM

PER

ATU

RE

(C)

MEAN MONTHLYSAT

DIFFERENCEFROM -50m

3. Deep heat to produce electricity (EGS systems)3. Deep heat to produce electricity (EGS systems)

Drilling deep is expensiveDrilling deep is expensive

Bottom hole temperatures Bottom hole temperatures -- Hinton Hinton -- EdsonEdson AlbertaAlberta

BHTs ~ 150 C

Bottom hole temperatures NW BCBottom hole temperatures NW BC

Use the equilibrium temperature not the BHT

How to predict THow to predict T--z z

Geotherms (case of the Western Canada basin heat flow 80+/-10 mW/m**2) modeling uncertainty due to heat flow, basement

temperature, conductivity and Qr and D uncertainties

0123456789

10

0 50 100 150 200 250

temperature (deg C)

dept

h (m

)

T(z) minT(z) max

Predicted deep temperature patternPredicted deep temperature pattern

In most cases you end up drilling into In most cases you end up drilling into Precambrian to get 150 C in AlbertaPrecambrian to get 150 C in Alberta

Alberta EUB TemperaturesAlberta EUB Temperatures

High temperatures ? Yes High temperatures ? Yes -- in the crystalline basementin the crystalline basement

Not only temperature; flow rates Not only temperature; flow rates are important!are important!

What do we need to find ?What do we need to find ? -- high flow /high temperature oil and high flow /high temperature oil and

gas wellgas well’’s cos co--produced fluidsproduced fluids

Latent heat energy contained in theassociated produced water that is lost by injection or discharge.

The ORMAT ORC 250kW unit is up and running in Wyoming on low temperature fluids as demonstration and testing of the equipment. It is producing a net of 225kW (the machine is 250kW gross and RMOTC uses 25kW of the power for the unit) from 22,500 bpd of 192°F (89 C) water.

Mountains to the west provide continuous recharge for the aquifers in the Tensleep and Madison formations.

ConclusionsWe have:

Limited by the data knowledge of:geothermal field

lithology and structuremost promising aquifersfractures and stress field

There is a need to:pin point potential geothermal energy target areas

increase our data base in respect to the targetsproduce atlas of geothermal resources for Canada

create demonstration – test facility/facilities