| Abstract |
The Department of Energy (DOE) and its predecessor agencies (AEC, NSF, and ERDA) have funded research related to geothermal reservoirs since 1972. Much of the early geothermal work was based on the accumulated knowledge of petroleum reservoirs and hydrologic systems. In the intervening years, geothermal research has revealed much about the physics and chemistry that distinguishes geothermal reservoirs from accumulations of other natural fluids. Continued research in geothermal energy will provide a better understanding of reservoirs and more useful tools to manage the extraction of thermal energy. |