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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 58 (1974)

Issue: 7. (July)

First Page: 1444

Last Page: 1445

Title: Geothermal Potential of Southwestern United States: ABSTRACT

Author(s): J. E. Kilkenny

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

The area comprises the states of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, and includes the following geologic provinces: the Colorado Plateau, Basin and Range, Sierra Nevada and Southern California batholiths, Great Valley and Coast Ranges of California.

This area is considered favorable for geothermal prospecting because of the presence of many hot springs, Tertiary and especially Quaternary volcanism, and faulting of both block and rift type.

The Geysers field, the largest geothermal field in the world as well as the only commercially producing

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field in the United States, is in the northern Coast Ranges of California about 75 mi north of San Francisco. In the Salton Sea area of the Imperial Valley, California, large flows of steam and geothermal fluids have been obtained, currently uneconomic because of high-mineral content. Twenty miles south of the Mexican border in the same basin, the Cerro Prieto geothermal field produces 75 megawatts and appears to be capable of supplying energy for considerably more power. In the Valles Caldera, near Los Alamos, New Mexico, discovery of a new field has been indicated by recent exploratory drilling. Flows of hot water and flashed steam have been recorded in several areas in Nevada, none of which have proved commercial.

Exploration for geothermal resources is in the early stage of activity. A total of 149 exploratory wells has been drilled in 55 different areas. Many of these wells were shallow and not adequately tested. It is too early to predict what the success ratio will be until deeper and more conclusive tests are drilled. To January 1974, exploration has been hampered by the unavailability of public lands, which cover well over half of the prospective territory.

Leasing activity during the last few years, coupled with geologic and geophysical work by private industry, and successful utilization of 150 to 225°C waters by the heat-exchange method, suggest that there will be an extensive exploration-drilling program in the next few years that should shed much light on the amount of geothermal reserves present in the southwestern United States and how significant a part this form of energy will play in our total energy picture.

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Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists