The main aim of the project is to use the so-called Play Fairway Analysis (PFA) methodology to assess the likelihood of successful geothermal prospecting in volcanic areas and, in the process, to improve it. In short, the method consists of using diverse geoscientific data to determine the likelihood of high temperature and good permeability in the ground. The method is well known in the oil and gas industry and has produced good results in the search for subsurface resources. Now it is time to develop this method for geothermal prospecting in a volcanic environment.
– DErisking Exploration for geothermal Plays in magmatic Environments.
2020-2023
About the project
In part, the project concerns developing and using the PFA methodology to extract energy deeper in the geothermal systems. To do this, one needs to better understand which factors of the various data sets are most useful in determining where best to drill. Part of ÍSOR's work concerns precisely defining even better how resistivity measurements are best carried out, including their location in order to obtain better resolution deep in the system. This raises questions such as: Which factors in resistivity data indicate high temperature deep in geothermal systems? How should the measurement network be designed so that the programs do not create resistivity bodies during interpretation that have no basis in reality (so-called artefacts)? What kind of unreal resistivity bodies can be expected in interpretations?
Another main task of ÍSOR in DEEPEN is to develop correct velocity models for seismic waves, which are a key factor in locating earthquakes. Inaccurate velocity models lead to earthquakes being measured in the wrong place or depth. Part of the DEEPEN project consists of using neutron measurements in boreholes to attempt to improve the velocity models and make them more reliable.
Collaboration and funding
The project is funded by the Technology Development Fund of RANNÍS through Geothermica, an ERA-NET programme of the EU.
Partners alongside ÍSOR (a collaborative project of ten institutions in Europe and the United States): Orkuveita Reykjavíkur (lead), University of Iceland, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (USA), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (USA), Equinor (Norway), Norsar (Norway), ETH (Switzerland), IFPEN (France) and GFZ (Germany).
ÍSOR project manager: Ásdís Benediktsdóttir