A History of Geothermal Energy Research and Development in the ...

EXPLORATION
data on high-temperature hydrothermal systems was proprietary and held in
private company files. The program shared drilling costs for new holes and
purchased data from specific prospects or wells that had already been drilled.
Under the Industry-Coupled program, DOE researchers studied specific areas
and topics in-depth to aid exploration and development, assess and improve
existing exploration technology, and increase general knowledge of geothermal
reservoirs. The University of Utah Research Institute (UURI, now the Energy and
Geoscience Institute [EGI]) at the University of Utah provided scientific expertise
to the program. This group comprised scientists with mineral-industry experience
who applied their knowledge to the closely related geothermal environment.
Other universities and the national laboratories participated as well. All technical
data obtained under the program were provided to DOE for publication. In
addition, a substantial amount of previously existing data, generally emphasizing
early-stage exploration in the areas in question, were acquired and published.
Geothermal investigations were conducted at 14 sites in Utah and Nevada.
Exploratory wells and thermal gradient holes were drilled; new and existing
geological, geochemical, and geophysical data acquired and compiled.
Interpretation techniques were developed and honed on this large data set. The
information was quickly published as open-file reports and later in peer-reviewed
literature. As a result, more than 50 topical reports were generated, more than
12 exploration techniques evaluated, 15 deep exploration wells drilled, and 25
drilling histories written. All of the data generated during the program, including
company exploration data packages and core and cutting samples from costshared
and other wells, were released to the public. They are preserved and still
available at EGI. A summary of the data placed in the public domain as a result
of the Industry-Coupled Case Studies Program is presented in Table 2. A detailed
inventory of these data, as well the data itself, may be obtained by contacting EGI. 7
*Key For Companies In Table 2:
AO = Aminoil USA Inc. AM = AMAX Exploration C = Chevron Resources Co.
EP = Earth Power Production G = Getty Oil Co P = Phillips Petroleum Co.
SR = Southland Royalty Co. U = Union Oil Co.
^ Companies active at Roosevelt Hot Springs:
Getty Oil Co., Philips Petroleum Co., Thermal Power Co., AMAX Exploration
16 A History of Geothermal Energy Research and Development in the United States | Exploration