9 Geothermal Energy and Its Significance as a Renewable Energy Resource

Monday, 17 March 2014
1:00 PM - 2:20 PM
Eureka Springs Ballroom 3

CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE ARKANSAS GEOLOGICAL SURVEY TO THE NATIONAL GEOTHERMAL DATA SYSTEM

Paper number: 9-1
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 1:00 PM – 1:20 PM

Authors

Abstract

From 2010 - 2013 the Arkansas Geological Survey (AGS) provided geothermal-relevant data to the National Geothermal Data System (NGDS). The project purpose was to provide open access to geological technical data via the internet which would aid the development of geothermal energy throughout the U.S. This project was funded by the Federal Department of Energy by way of the Association of American State Geologists (AASG) and administrated by the Arizona Geological Survey. Other participants in the project included the surveys of all 50 states, the U.S.G.S. and Boise State University.

Most of the data was taken from well records filed with the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission and from the records, reports and maps from the Arkansas Geological Survey. Also during this study, thermal conductance measurements where performed on selected core from southern Arkansas. A previous national study by Southern Methodist University indicated that the northern Gulf Coast offered some of the best potential areas for geothermal for the eastern half of the U.S.

Along with providing reports, maps and cross-sections pertaining to earthquakes, active faults, geothermal gradients and basin structure and stratigraphy, the AGS provided over 2800 lithology, temperature-depth, and digital well logs, and 1120 bottom hole temperatures from across the state. Around 120 thermal conductance measurements were conducted on cores from southern Arkansas along with some data provided by the brine industry in southern Arkansas.