| Abstract |
North Eastern Texas has been identified as an area of high geothermal potential given the subsurface temperatures at economic drilling depths. The object of this paper is to present new geothermal data to evaluate and identify the geologic formations in North Texas, particularly in Dallas County, that hold the most potential for industrial geothermal electrical production, and that would also potentially be able to support same-site co-production of natural gas along with geothermal energy. Data were collected and analyzed from existing oil, gas, and deep-water wells in the North Texas area; and was subsequently correlated with existing geologic data. The results indicate very favorable geologic conditions for geothermal energy in North Texas, with the major conclusions being: 1) The Ellenberger Limestone Formation has the required temperatures and flow rates to sustain geothermal energy production in North Texas. 2) To reach the Ellenberger, it is necessary to drill through the Barnett Shale, the most productive gas producing formation in Texas, which is virtually untapped in central Dallas County. 3) Depending on the extent of the Ouachita Fracture Zone in the Paleozoic rocks, there may be even higher potential for geothermal fluid flow than imagined, as well as untapped natural gas reserves entrapped in the subsurface. Despite the fact that these areas remain predominantly uncharted and unforeseen challenges may arise during resource development, the results still hold tremendous economic and political significance, as geothermal energy is a clean, sustainable, base-load power source that can be locally produced. Furthermore, if properly harnessed, this resource could cost-effectively meet energy needs, as well as spur the local economy. By all accounts, North Texas appears to have a unique resource of tremendous potential value, which at the very least, merits more research to be properly understood, so that it can be properly harnessed. |