3D Basin modeling as a tool for geothermal resource screening in the denver basin
Rand Gardner-USGS
Abstract:
A 3D basin model was developed to evaluate geothermal resources within the Denver-Julesburg Basin. This evaluation utilizes legacy datasets generated by oil and gas developers alongside new paleoenvironmental studies to predict the depth and distribution of potential geothermal resource in the basin. A key benefit of basin modeling is that it provides lithology-based thermal properties, which helps improve temperature-depth profiles for geothermal studies. Depth and isopach maps were created from formation tops for 24 depositional units across the basin to generate a 3D grid with approximately 800,000 cells. Lithologic properties derived from paleogeographic maps were assigned to each cell. Approximately 20,000 bottom-hole temperature (BHT) measurements were corrected using a Förster-type model. The resulting corrected temperatures ranged from 130°F to 436°F and nearby wells were grouped into equal-area cells to create robust temperature profiles for calibration. The model was simulated every 10mW-m2 from 50 to 80mW-m2 and the heat flow scenario that best matched the corrected temperature profile in each cell was selected and contoured into a heat flow map. An aeromagnetic map was used to help guide the heat flow map along basement features where data was sparse. Results derived from the calibrated model indicate highly elevated heat flow in the Wattenberg field area. Depth to temperature maps were created for moderate- (≥194°F) and high-temperature (≥302°F) geothermal resource cut-offs. These maps suggest that in some areas, moderate and high-temperature resources may be as shallow as 4,000 and 7,000 feet, respectively. In contrast, geothermal resources in other areas of the basin are generally deeper for both temperature cut-offs. The resulting lithologic and temperature model for the Denver-Julesburg Basin identifies depth ranges where potential geothermal resources are likely to be located, with lithology further informing whether permeability is present. In layers with limited permeability, development strategies such as enhanced or engineered geothermal systems and deep closed-loop technologies may be viable.
Bio
Rand grew up in the oil patch where he learned the ins and outs of the energy industry. He worked for Big Oil as a wildcatter before joining the USGS in 2021 where he now leads a team doing research and resource assessments. He has done fieldwork and/or resource exploration in Suriname, Guyana, French Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Spain, France, Turkey, Mexico, USA, and Canada.
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