211 Geothermal Resources Research

Tuesday, 21 October 2025
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, 302C

A Thermal Model of Sedimentary Basins in the Contiguous United States

Paper number: 211-8
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 3:35 PM – 3:55 PM

Authors

Abstract

Deep (>600 m) sedimentary geothermal resources, which can be described as hidden systems because they generally have no surface expression, can be identified using predictive subsurface modeling. As part of an effort to evaluate the resource potential of such systems, a comprehensive 3D thermal model that includes most of the sedimentary basins across the contiguous United States is being developed to identify areas of prospectivity for hidden systems and support geothermal resource exploration. This work is different from previous national temperature studies in that it employs a finite element numerical basin modeling approach and has produced a calibrated 3D thermal volume accounting for spatial differences in geology. For sedimentary basins, structural surfaces were created from over 20 million well formation tops and lithologic maps for multiple depositional units, enabling thermal modeling that reflects variations in lithology, basal heat flow, and geologic history. The effects of Pleistocene glaciation on surface temperatures, permafrost thickness, and isostasy were also modeled to create a robust temperature history for the recent past. The model is calibrated using approximately 1.4 million bottom-hole temperature measurements, primarily from oil and gas wells corrected using a novel method. The resulting thermal model was analyzed using USGS temperature criteria for classifying potential sedimentary geothermal resources of differing grades, specifically low temperature (<90°C), moderate temperature (90–150°C), and high temperature (>150°C) fairways. These geothermal fairways are delineated across dozens of sedimentary basins and subsurface features. This work offers insights into sedimentary geothermal resources across the contiguous United States and allows for quantitative comparison of basins and the prioritizing of regions for more detailed, site-specific investigations. This work represents a significant step toward a unified understanding of the thermal architecture of sedimentary basins of the United States and underscores the value of large-scale subsurface data integration for resource evaluation.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-412884

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