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Geophysics in geothermal prospecting
Author(s) -
Duprat Albert
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.4440090306
Subject(s) - prospecting , geothermal gradient , geophysics , geophysical prospecting , geology , earth science , mining engineering , petroleum engineering
Abstract Geophysical prospecting of high temperature geothermal reservoirs aims at identifying either fluid trapping structures or anomalies related to the properties of the hydrothermal fluid and rock to fluid interactions. Two types of reservoir environments can be characterized: (i) sedimentary reservoirs when a carbonate reservoir is generally capped by a dominantly argillaceous, hydraulically impervious and thermally insulating cover, and (ii) volcanic and volcano‐sedimentary reservoirs associated with hydrothermally altered areas. Based on the aforementioned exploration goals and reservoir settings, a wide spectrum of geophysical methods can be applied whose selection is largely commanded by local geological conditions and expected reservoir morphology. Major geophysical techniques are reviewed and their potential, as to geothermal reservoir prospecting issues, discussed.