Open AccessAssessing geothermal energy potential in upstate New York. Final report
Author(s) -
Dennis S. Hodge
Publication year - 1996
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/501526
Subject(s) - geothermal gradient , geothermal energy , geology , petroleum engineering , geothermal power , geochemistry , geothermal heating , extraction (chemistry) , environmental science , chemistry , geophysics , chromatography
The potential of geothermal energy for future electric power generation in New York State is evaluated using estimates of temperatures of geothermal reservoir rocks. Bottom hole temperatures from over 2000 oil and gas wells in the region were integrated into subsurface maps of the temperatures for specific geothermal reservoirs. The Theresa/Potsdam formation provides the best potential for extraction of high volumes of geothermal fluids. The evaluation of the Theresa/Potsdam geothermal reservoir in upstate New York suggests that an area 30 miles east of Elmira, New York has the highest temperatures in the reservoir rock. The Theresa/Potsdam reservoir rock should have temperatures about 136 {degrees}C and may have as much as 450 feet of porosity in excess of 8%. Estimates of the volumes of geothermal fluids that can be extracted are provided and environmental considerations for production from a geothermal well is discussed