Short Course

SC-11: Exploration and development aspects of geothermal energy

Monday, 25 August | 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | George R. Brown Convention Center

Sponsored by the AAPG Geothermal Committee

This one-day course will provide a review of exploration and development aspects of geothermal energy. A variety of topics will be covered, including: Geothermal concepts (geologic features, thermal resources, geothermal play types); geothermal exploration in the subsurface; geothermal reservoirs; development methods (reuse of O&G wells, engineering systems, subsurface hydrothermal, produced waters heat recovery for direct use); data types from O&G relevant to geothermal prospecting; environmental concerns around geothermal development.

Co-Leaders

Guest Speakers

Course Leader(s)

Managers, geologists, engineers, geophysicists, and other geoscientists interested in learning more about technical aspects of geothermal energy resources and skill sets that are in demand for applications in subsurface geothermal energy development.
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:

1. Define key geologic and thermal concepts relevant to exploration for and development of geothermal resources.
2. Describe the current and potential applications of geothermal energy and how they differ in scale.
3. Identify technological approaches being developed by companies to utilize geothermal energy, including co-production with oil & gas resources, engineered geothermal systems, and subsurface hydrothermal.
4. Explain the current applications of geothermal power in the energy industry and what the potential is for subsurface geothermal.
5. Identify opportunities for integration of geothermal power with other resources, including fossil energy sources.
6. Identify and use existing online databases and tools (e.g., NREL, IGA) to support geothermal exploration, analysis, and decision-making.