Hot Dry Rock Geothermal Exploration in Australia

Richard Hillis; Martin Hand; Scott Mildren; Peter Reid; Scott Reynolds; Emma Nelson

doi:10.1071/ASEG2004ab069

ISSN: 2202-0586
E-ISSN:

oa Hot Dry Rock Geothermal Exploration in Australia
Authors Richard Hillis^a, Martin Hand^b, Scott Mildren^c, Peter Reid^d, Scott Reynolds^e and Emma Nelson^f
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^a University of Adelaide,, Australia, [email protected] ^b University of Adelaide,, Australia, [email protected] ^c JRS Petroleum Research,, [email protected] ^d Minotaur Resources,, [email protected] ^e University of Adelaide,, Australia, [email protected] ^f University of Adelaide,, Australia, [email protected]
Publisher: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Source: ASEG Extended Abstracts, Volume 2004, Issue ASEG2004 - 17th Geophysical Conference, Dec 2004, p. 1 - 4
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/ASEG2004ab069
- Published online: 01 Dec 2004

Abstract

Hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal energy is obtained by circulating water between injection and production wells through hot subsurface rocks. The recovered hot water should be around 250°C for efficient electricity generation. South Australia has become a focus for HDR developments due to its exceptionally hot subsurface rocks. Previous HDR projects have focused on areas of known high geothermal gradient, based, for example, on experience from petroleum wells, e.g. the European Soultz-sous-Forêts site and Geodynamics’ Habanero-1 well in the Cooper Basin. An alternative strategy is to explore for the highest geothermal gradients closest to electricity markets. Petratherm Ltd. holds geothermal exploration licences within the uniquely hot South Australian Heat Flow Anomaly and will target buried thermally anomalous granites and radiogenic iron oxides therein. Thermal modelling indicates that temperatures of 250°C may be attained at depths <4 km within the licences. The thermal conductivity of the cover rocks is as important a factor as the heat-generating potential of the basement in generating exceptionally high geothermal gradients.

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2026-01-13

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References

Baria, R., Baumgartner, J., Rummel, F., Pine, R. J., And Sato, Y., 1999, HDR/HWR reservoirs: concepts, understanding and creation. Geothermics, 28, 533-552.
Brown, D. W., And Duchane, D. V., 1999, Scientific progress on the Fenton Hill HDR project since 1983. Geothermics, 28, 591-601.
Evans, K. F. and others 1999, Stress and rock mechanics issues of relevance to HDR/HWR engineered geothermal systems: review of developments during the past 15 years. Geothermics, 28, 455-474.
Neumann, N., Sandiford, M., And Foden, J., 2000, Regional geochemistry and continental heat flow; implications for the origin of the South Australian heat flow anomaly. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 183,107-120.
Reynolds, S. D., Mildren, S. D., Hillis, R. R., And Meyer, J. J., in press, Application of the in situ stress field to hot dry rock geothermal energy in the Cooper Basin. In: Eastern Australian Basins Symposium II Volume, PESA Eastern Australian Basins Symposium, Adelaide, September 2004.
Somerville, M., Wyborn, D., Chopra, P., Rahman, S., Estrella, D., And Van Der Meulen, T. 1994. Hot Dry Rocks Feasibility Study, Energy Research and Development Corporation (ERDC) Report, 243, pp. 133.
Wyborn, D., De Graaf, L., Davidson, S., And Hann, S. in press. Development of Australia’s first hot fractured rock (HFR) underground heat exchanger, Cooper Basin, South Australia. In: Eastern Australian Basins Symposium II Volume, PESA Eastern Australian Basins Symposium, Adelaide, September 2004.

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Article Type: Research Article

Keyword(s): geothermal energy; hot dry rock

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