| Title | Integrated 3D Workflow and Application for Geothermal Resource Characterization in the San Juan Basin |
|---|---|
| Authors | Emilie Gentry, Kiley Baird |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | Hot Sedimentary Aquifers (HSAs) offer a promising path for expanding geothermal energy in widespread but underutilized sedimentary basins. To address subsurface uncertainty and support development, a novel integrated 3D workflow was developed, combining geologic modeling, petrophysics, geomechanics, and reservoir simulation. This approach captures geologic complexity while maintaining computational efficiency, enabling iterative modeling and better decision-making across scales. The workflow begins with a 3D geologic model integrating stratigraphic, structural, and lithologic data. Petrophysical properties like porosity and permeability are spatially distributed, while thermal and geomechanical modeling informs stress regimes and reservoir behavior. These inputs drive dynamic simulations that evaluate fluid and heat transport under operational scenarios, supporting well targeting and risk assessment. This workflow was applied with IKAV through the Colorado Energy Office’s Geothermal Energy Grant Program to assess geothermal potential near the Florida Mesa gas processing plant in the San Juan Basin, Colorado. Using well data, stratigraphy, and temperature logs, the Entrada and Bluff Sandstones were identified as primary targets with estimated temperatures of 140–195 °C. A vertical injector and 5,000-foot lateral producer were simulated to evaluate flow and thermal performance. Calibration to natural-state conditions was followed by sensitivity testing of key reservoir and production parameters (e.g., temperature, permeability, well spacing). This produced a large catalogue of reservoir models to support early decision-making and guide future refinement as more data become available. Overall, this integrated workflow and its application demonstrate a scalable, effective approach for unlocking geothermal potential in sedimentary basins. |