Assessment of geothermal reservoir temperature and energy fields based on resistivity data

Abstract

Abstract Geothermal is a consistent and reliable source of renewable energy for various scale exploitation. However, harnessing geothermal energy is limited to small-scale direct heat applications in many countries, primarily due to various technical and economic reasons. One among the many reasons is a meager amount of field studies available for the reliable prediction of reservoir potential, especially in India. Assessment of temperature field depends on proper information of subsurface field properties. The assessed temperature field further determines the stored heat energy. The accurate assessment of reservoir potential depends on temperature field. Reasonable reservoir potential information would encourage policymakers to plan developmental works at various scales. Since the information on subsurface characteristics is limited in the absence of deep exploration data, assessment of reservoir potential is associated with uncertainties. In this regard, this study presents a methodology for preliminary assessment of reservoir potential in terms of temperature and thermo-hydro-geological features, which also predicts the stored heat energy. The study considers the geothermal status of India, where the developmental activities and exploration are still at nascent stages, and predicts the temperature and energy distribution of Puga geothermal reservoir based on the available resistivity data.