(GP/GT) for Additional Water Supply in the Lower Rio Grande

THE FEASIBILITY OF APPLYING GEOPRESSURED­
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES TO DIRECT USES
INTRODUCTION
Natural gas and the high temperatures and pressures found in
geopressured-geothermal (geopressured) resources create the opportunity
for many new applications. The objectives of this feasibility study are
to provide a brief overview of the various direct uses that are under
consideration to utilize the relatively clean and environmentally benign
energy that is available in the geopressured resource, to identify the
areas of greatest industry interest, and to identify those applications
that appear to have the greatest potential for utilization and impact.
Information regarding the various direct uses was obtained from industry,
academic, government, and other organizations through personal contact,
publications, and documentation. Based on the information obtained,
thermally enhanced oil recovery, supercritical fluid processing for waste
remediation, desalination, and agriculture/aquaculture applications
appear to have the greatest potential for significant near-term
development. This study addresses the various uses that were identified,
with economic emphasis on desalination and agriculture/aquaculture
applications. Thermally enhanced oil recovery and supercritical fluid
processing for waste remediation are subjects of separate feasibility
studies, also being prepared by the INEL.
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