Various data types over a geothermal area. Data includes temperature logs, 3D seismic, 3D gravity cube, surface geology contacts, aerial imagery, and surface gravitometers. Data courtesy USDOE Geothermal Data Repository.
Types of Geothermal Data
The understanding of geothermal resources is driven by a large amount of data acquired during the geothermal exploration phase. Various exploration techniques, including geoscientific surveys, downhole measurement, and remote sensing, contribute to the capturing of the essential geospatial data for subsurface characterization. The data acquired may include:
- Well log data for subsurface petrophysical characterization, developing temperature logs
- Core data obtained by drilling boreholes to obtain the rock sample. Techniques such as XRD, MRI, measured permeability and porosity, and thin section analysis provide information regarding rock properties and reservoir quality.
- 2D and 3D seismic data for locating faults and fractures and identifying relevant stratigraphy
- Gravity data for determining local and regional rock structure and basement depths
- Magnetotelluric data for determining the subsurface resistivity and aquifer locations. The data is also useful in detecting geothermal anomalies including the presence of faults and caprocks
- Heat flow data through wireline logging to determine rock temperature along the depth of each borehole
- Surface data including geological mapping, GPS, and tiltmeter data
- Infrastructure data obtained through GIS mapping
- Aerial photography to identify intrusions and terrain obstacles
- Remote sensing data like multi or hyperspectral data to identify different clays or hydrothermal alteration at the surface
- Hydrogeological data to indicate flow path and lithological features like faults and fractures
Visualizing Geothermal Data for Enhanced Analysis
Using CoViz 4D for Geothermal Visualization
CoViz 4D is uniquely suited to the importation of disparate data and a robust visualization of information in a 3D or 4D format. The geospatial data obtained through the various surface and subsurface surveys and logging methods are essential for comprehensive geothermal visualization. The software further enhances the visualization by accommodating the file types like .kml and .kmz from open data sources into its data registry. By integrating, correlating, and visualizing the new and existing geoscience and engineering data, asset teams can make an informed decision during each phase of a geothermal project.
CoViz 4D, a data visualization analytics software from Dynamic Graphics, Inc., gives geoscientists and engineers the ability to easily access and combine all relevant geothermal data in a single platform. Powerful geothermal visualization capabilities enable you to explore surface and subsurface data relationships, calculate and show inferred data, and analyze how the data changes over time, allowing your team to confidently make informed decisions and reduce operational risk. To learn more about CoViz 4D contact our team.
