| Abstract |
The suitable estimation of the geothermal potential from Geothermal and Petroleum Systems depends on the reliable knowledge from several geological, geophysical and geochemical parameters. A very important geophysical parameter is the heat flow, which can be used to describe the subsurface temperature profiles from the study zones. This allows to establish the subsurface areas with high heat storage. In Mexico, in recent decades a strong demand for energy has arisen due to the increasing human necessities. This has increased the pollution rates. Therefore, governmental agencies in collaboration with academic institutions, have focused on improving the techniques of exploitation of renewable energy resources. One of them, Geothermal energy, with five high enthalpy geothermal fields under exploitation for power generation. In addition, it is documented that there are many sites with low and medium enthalpy, through the study of thermal manifestations. From 2017 to present, two scientific works related to conductive surface heat flow have been published, which new estimation values together with published data were presented to define an updated geothermal gradient and heat flow map (Espinoza-Ojeda et al., 2017; Prol-Ledesma et al., 2018). In this context, 674 new geothermal gradient data were compiled, from them, 368 sites were used to estimate new heat flow values. Plus, the 157 heat flow values from Espinoza-Ojeda et al (2017) and Prol-Ledesma et al (2018), and approximate 500 values compiled and published previously the mentioned works. The new geothermal gradient and heat flow data were calculated by using thermal logs [Borehole Transient Temperature (TBT) and Bottom-Hole Temperature (BHT)] from the drilling stage of geothermal and petroleum deep boreholes. This new database allows to define areas with thermal anomalies and to classify sites of low, medium and high enthalpy according to the sites with more density of heat flow and geothermal gradient values. |