Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-20DOI: 10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103586
Dejian Zhou , Quan Liu , Huhao Gao , Alexandru Tatomir , Martin Sauter
Thermo-sensitive (TS) tracers offer significant potential for enhancing the understanding of heat transfer in porous media and ascertaining financial revenues by reducing reservoir lifetime prediction uncertainty. Based on the demonstrated feasibility of TS tracers for estimating the thermal front positions in homogeneous systems, the study expands the application of TS tracers to heterogeneous conditions. Assuming that heat and tracers follow the same preferential flow pathways, we derived an analytical solution to estimate the thermal breakthrough time in the reservoir with highly heterogeneous permeability. The analytical estimates are validated against the simulation results. The findings show a strong agreement on thermal breakthrough time, with a correlation coefficient exceeding 0.99, between the analytical estimates and simulation results. Additionally, the estimation accuracy remains robust across a wider range of injection and reservoir conditions, including the variation of injection rate, temperature, and reservoir porosity. However, the reliability of this approach critically relies on the ability to accurately interpret the tracer concentration breakthrough curve. The TS tracer technology demonstrates high feasibility only when the breakthrough curve can be effectively deconvoluted into contributions from individual preferential flow pathways.
{"title":"An inversion method to estimate thermal breakthrough time using thermo-sensitive tracer in reservoirs with highly heterogeneous permeability","authors":"Dejian Zhou , Quan Liu , Huhao Gao , Alexandru Tatomir , Martin Sauter","doi":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103586","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103586","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Thermo-sensitive (TS) tracers offer significant potential for enhancing the understanding of heat transfer in porous media and ascertaining financial revenues by reducing reservoir lifetime prediction uncertainty. Based on the demonstrated feasibility of TS tracers for estimating the thermal front positions in homogeneous systems, the study expands the application of TS tracers to heterogeneous conditions. Assuming that heat and tracers follow the same preferential flow pathways, we derived an analytical solution to estimate the thermal breakthrough time in the reservoir with highly heterogeneous permeability. The analytical estimates are validated against the simulation results. The findings show a strong agreement on thermal breakthrough time, with a correlation coefficient exceeding 0.99, between the analytical estimates and simulation results. Additionally, the estimation accuracy remains robust across a wider range of injection and reservoir conditions, including the variation of injection rate, temperature, and reservoir porosity. However, the reliability of this approach critically relies on the ability to accurately interpret the tracer concentration breakthrough curve. The TS tracer technology demonstrates high feasibility only when the breakthrough curve can be effectively deconvoluted into contributions from individual preferential flow pathways.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55095,"journal":{"name":"Geothermics","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 103586"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.geothermics.2026.103599
Samuel Rybár , Michal Nemčok , Lucia Ledvényiová , Přemysl Kyselák , Ľubomír Sliva
This study investigates the geothermal potential of the Czech sector of the Vienna Basin, a region traditionally explored for hydrocarbons, through the integration of seismic and fluid data. The analysis focuses on low-temperature geothermal systems (<150°C) hosted by Badenian and Sarmatian (Langhian–Serravallian) sedimentary sequences. Seismic interpretation identifies key structural features, including the Steinberg Fault Zone, serving as a recharge area, and the Lanžhot–Hrušky Fault Zone, representing a discharge area of a topography-driven geothermal fluid-flow system connected by a network of densely spaced aquifers. Hydrogeochemical analyses reveal total dissolved solids ranging from 3400 to 21,000 ppm and fluid inflow rates from 0.5 to 14.5 m³/h. Current limitations include incomplete data coverage and relatively low geothermal gradients; however, the availability of extensive hydrocarbon infrastructure and a large well database provides a unique opportunity for geothermal exploration and redevelopment. Deepening of selected wells in the most promising areas could increase reservoir temperatures, improving the economic efficiency of future geothermal projects. This study provides the first integrated structural and hydrogeothermal interpretation of the Czech sector of the Vienna Basin. The results identify a topography-driven geothermal circulation system controlled by the Steinberg and Lanžhot–Hrušky Fault Zones, linking recharge and discharge zones across multiple Badenian and Sarmatian aquifers. These findings establish a well-constrained conceptual framework for the basin’s geothermal system and demonstrate the potential for direct-use applications based on existing exploration data.
{"title":"Geothermal potential of the Czech Vienna Basin: Structural and fluid-flow dynamics of a former pull-apart basin","authors":"Samuel Rybár , Michal Nemčok , Lucia Ledvényiová , Přemysl Kyselák , Ľubomír Sliva","doi":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2026.103599","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2026.103599","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the geothermal potential of the Czech sector of the Vienna Basin, a region traditionally explored for hydrocarbons, through the integration of seismic and fluid data. The analysis focuses on low-temperature geothermal systems (<150°C) hosted by Badenian and Sarmatian (Langhian–Serravallian) sedimentary sequences. Seismic interpretation identifies key structural features, including the Steinberg Fault Zone, serving as a recharge area, and the Lanžhot–Hrušky Fault Zone, representing a discharge area of a topography-driven geothermal fluid-flow system connected by a network of densely spaced aquifers. Hydrogeochemical analyses reveal total dissolved solids ranging from 3400 to 21,000 ppm and fluid inflow rates from 0.5 to 14.5 m³/h. Current limitations include incomplete data coverage and relatively low geothermal gradients; however, the availability of extensive hydrocarbon infrastructure and a large well database provides a unique opportunity for geothermal exploration and redevelopment. Deepening of selected wells in the most promising areas could increase reservoir temperatures, improving the economic efficiency of future geothermal projects. This study provides the first integrated structural and hydrogeothermal interpretation of the Czech sector of the Vienna Basin. The results identify a topography-driven geothermal circulation system controlled by the Steinberg and Lanžhot–Hrušky Fault Zones, linking recharge and discharge zones across multiple Badenian and Sarmatian aquifers. These findings establish a well-constrained conceptual framework for the basin’s geothermal system and demonstrate the potential for direct-use applications based on existing exploration data.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55095,"journal":{"name":"Geothermics","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 103599"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The extensive use of fossil fuels worldwide is one of the major reason of the global climate crisis. Renewable energy is the most promising source used all over the world to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. Geothermal energy is considered a trustworthy alternative energy source to replace fossil fuels due to its versatility and sustainability. Despite the geothermal energy’s major advantages, the usage of geothermal energy is still limited due to the high costs of conventional exploration techniques and the low accuracy results of these techniques, specifically in the wildcat areas. To address these challenges in exploration phases, satellite-based remote sensing data can be used to lower the early-phase exploration costs. This study aims to develop an early-phase geothermal exploration model that utilises remote sensing data through a machine learning approach. Lineament Density (LD), Hydrothermal Alterations (HA), and Land Surface Temperature (LST) were the most common geothermal surface manifestations used in the model as inputs. These inputs were integrated with K-means and Random Forest (RF) algorithms owing to their capability of handling large and complex datasets. In this study, Buharkent and Germencik geothermal fields from Türkiye were selected as study areas due to their substantial reserves and long-term production, and mature field characteristics. The results of the analysis revealed that the model accuracy was 79% and 59% in Buharkent and Germencik fields, respectively. The study’s findings demonstrate that satellite-based remote sensing data, when combined with machine learning techniques, can be considered a supportive tool for geothermal exploration alongside conventional methods.
{"title":"Early-phase geothermal prospecting using remote sensing and machine learning: application to Buharkent and Germencik fields, Türkiye","authors":"Hakan Oktay Aydınlı, Gordana Kaplan, Saye Nihan Çabuk","doi":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2026.103603","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2026.103603","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The extensive use of fossil fuels worldwide is one of the major reason of the global climate crisis. Renewable energy is the most promising source used all over the world to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. Geothermal energy is considered a trustworthy alternative energy source to replace fossil fuels due to its versatility and sustainability. Despite the geothermal energy’s major advantages, the usage of geothermal energy is still limited due to the high costs of conventional exploration techniques and the low accuracy results of these techniques, specifically in the wildcat areas. To address these challenges in exploration phases, satellite-based remote sensing data can be used to lower the early-phase exploration costs. This study aims to develop an early-phase geothermal exploration model that utilises remote sensing data through a machine learning approach. Lineament Density (LD), Hydrothermal Alterations (HA), and Land Surface Temperature (LST) were the most common geothermal surface manifestations used in the model as inputs. These inputs were integrated with K-means and Random Forest (RF) algorithms owing to their capability of handling large and complex datasets. In this study, Buharkent and Germencik geothermal fields from Türkiye were selected as study areas due to their substantial reserves and long-term production, and mature field characteristics. The results of the analysis revealed that the model accuracy was 79% and 59% in Buharkent and Germencik fields, respectively. The study’s findings demonstrate that satellite-based remote sensing data, when combined with machine learning techniques, can be considered a supportive tool for geothermal exploration alongside conventional methods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55095,"journal":{"name":"Geothermics","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 103603"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.geothermics.2026.103597
Yue Shen , Yuanzhi Cheng , Zhonghe Pang
The Chabu geothermal field, located on the Xainza-Dinggye Rift, is demonstrated to be a product of the tectonic-heat flow couple under plate collision, where an extensional fault network exerts the primary control on heat and fluid transport. Based on magnetotelluric (MT) data from 76 stations, we constructed a three-dimensional resistivity model to investigate the heat source, fluid pathways, and tectonic controls on the geothermal system. The model reveals a shallow low-resistivity anomaly associated with hot spring discharge and a large-scale low-resistivity body of ∼18–20 km depth in the middle to upper crust. The low-resistivity body is interpreted as a heat source resulting from asthenospheric upwelling and partial melting of the lithosphere. These two anomalies are linked by a fault-controlled, vertically aligned low-resistivity conduit that likely serves as a channel for upward fluid migration. This channel is controlled by the intersection of the deep and large fracture in the EW direction and the SNNE direction in the region, demonstrating the significant control effect of the southern Tibetan extension structure on the migration path of thermal fluids. Studies show that the Chabu geothermal system is the product of the tectonic-heat flow couple under the background of plate collision. The extensional fault network controls both the migration of heat and the development of the hydrothermal circulation system. The results of this study provide new geophysical evidence and theoretical support for the formation mechanism and resource evaluation of the rift-type geothermal system in the South Tibet Plateau.
{"title":"Magnetotelluric imaging of tectonic control on fluid pathways and heat sources in a continental rift geothermal system, southern tibet","authors":"Yue Shen , Yuanzhi Cheng , Zhonghe Pang","doi":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2026.103597","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2026.103597","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Chabu geothermal field, located on the Xainza-Dinggye Rift, is demonstrated to be a product of the tectonic-heat flow couple under plate collision, where an extensional fault network exerts the primary control on heat and fluid transport. Based on magnetotelluric (MT) data from 76 stations, we constructed a three-dimensional resistivity model to investigate the heat source, fluid pathways, and tectonic controls on the geothermal system. The model reveals a shallow low-resistivity anomaly associated with hot spring discharge and a large-scale low-resistivity body of ∼18–20 km depth in the middle to upper crust. The low-resistivity body is interpreted as a heat source resulting from asthenospheric upwelling and partial melting of the lithosphere. These two anomalies are linked by a fault-controlled, vertically aligned low-resistivity conduit that likely serves as a channel for upward fluid migration. This channel is controlled by the intersection of the deep and large fracture in the EW direction and the SN<img>NE direction in the region, demonstrating the significant control effect of the southern Tibetan extension structure on the migration path of thermal fluids. Studies show that the Chabu geothermal system is the product of the tectonic-heat flow couple under the background of plate collision. The extensional fault network controls both the migration of heat and the development of the hydrothermal circulation system. The results of this study provide new geophysical evidence and theoretical support for the formation mechanism and resource evaluation of the rift-type geothermal system in the South Tibet Plateau.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55095,"journal":{"name":"Geothermics","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 103597"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Geothermal systems provide continuous, low-carbon energy by harnessing the Earth’s renewable heat, but their efficiency can be hindered by issues such as limited heat production and thermal breakthrough. A promising approach to overcome these issues is to inject polymer-based microcapsules into fractures to modify permeability, which requires a clear understanding of particle transport within the fracture network. To do so, this study used Computational Fluid Dynamics–Discrete Element Method (CFD–DEM) simulations combined with machine learning (ML) to capture particle transport behavior under varying temperature conditions. The dataset comprises 45 CFD–DEM test cases, which are generated by coupling OpenFOAM (for fluid dynamics) and LIGGGHTS (for particle tracking), enabling detailed modeling of thermo-hydro processes and particle interactions. To assess their influence on transport behavior, key parameters include particle diameter (), formation temperature (), and particle volume fraction (). Supervised learning models, including random forest and interpretable decision tree classifiers, were trained to classify flow blockage. Feature importance analysis identified and as the most critical factors impacting the particle transports. To avoid sealing progression, the accumulation of low-velocity particles over time was fit with a sigmoid function. Results show that higher particle concentrations and larger diameters reduce transport efficiency, while elevated inlet velocities enhance particle mobility and prolong transport through the fracture. This interpretable data-driven approach, grounded in CFDEM simulations, offers a predictive tool for particle transport in fractures subject to complex geothermal environments.
{"title":"Investigation of particle transport in geothermal systems using integrated CFD–DEM and data-driven approaches","authors":"Younes Tatari , Hoai Thanh Nguyen , Amirhossein Arzani , Pania Newell","doi":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103533","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103533","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Geothermal systems provide continuous, low-carbon energy by harnessing the Earth’s renewable heat, but their efficiency can be hindered by issues such as limited heat production and thermal breakthrough. A promising approach to overcome these issues is to inject polymer-based microcapsules into fractures to modify permeability, which requires a clear understanding of particle transport within the fracture network. To do so, this study used Computational Fluid Dynamics–Discrete Element Method (CFD–DEM) simulations combined with machine learning (ML) to capture particle transport behavior under varying temperature conditions. The dataset comprises 45 CFD–DEM test cases, which are generated by coupling OpenFOAM (for fluid dynamics) and LIGGGHTS (for particle tracking), enabling detailed modeling of thermo-hydro processes and particle interactions. To assess their influence on transport behavior, key parameters include particle diameter (<span><math><mi>D</mi></math></span>), formation temperature (<span><math><mi>T</mi></math></span>), and particle volume fraction (<span><math><mi>ϕ</mi></math></span>). Supervised learning models, including random forest and interpretable decision tree classifiers, were trained to classify flow blockage. Feature importance analysis identified <span><math><mi>ϕ</mi></math></span> and <span><math><mi>D</mi></math></span> as the most critical factors impacting the particle transports. To avoid sealing progression, the accumulation of low-velocity particles over time was fit with a sigmoid function. Results show that higher particle concentrations and larger diameters reduce transport efficiency, while elevated inlet velocities enhance particle mobility and prolong transport through the fracture. This interpretable data-driven approach, grounded in CFDEM simulations, offers a predictive tool for particle transport in fractures subject to complex geothermal environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55095,"journal":{"name":"Geothermics","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 103533"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145625420","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-19DOI: 10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103582
Barbara Tomaszewska , Alper Baba , Gulden Gokcen Akkurt , Mentari Mukti , H. Utku Helvaci , Bogusław Bielec , Magdalena Tyszer , Nalan Kabay , Michał Kaczmarczyk , Beata Kępińska , Agnieszka Operacz
Agricultural drying is traditionally used to preserve fruits and vegetables which mostly relied on energy-intensive processes usually powered by fossil fuels. In this review, we explore an innovative and sustainable alternative: using geothermal energy to dry produce. The paper reviews the main technical aspects related to the use of geothermal energy in drying fruits and vegetables. We delve into the technical details of two leading methods, hot air drying and refractive window drying, highlighting their advantages, drawbacks, and the critical factors that influence the quality of the final product. By examining real-world applications from countries as diverse as Iceland, the USA, Greece, Turkey, Macedonia, Kenya, Serbia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Thailand, Poland, and the Philippines, this paper showcases how geothermal energy can be directly applied in drying operations—whether through standalone systems operating between 60 °C and 97 °C or integrated cascade systems wherever geothermal resources are used for power generation and in the form of the waste heat for drying purposes, can be considered as important direction. Due to a lack of actual information on the economic aspects of geothermal drying, in addition to outlining the technical merits of geothermal drying, we also discuss economic considerations and potential challenges to provide a roadmap for future projects. Moreover, the authors underlined several aspects that can contribute to the failure or limited success of geothermal drying projects. Ultimately, adopting geothermal drying not only reduces greenhouse gases (GHS) emissions but also lessens dependence on costly, polluting fossil fuels, paving the way for a greener, more energy-efficient future in food preservation.
{"title":"Geothermal drying in agricultural sector - worldwide examples","authors":"Barbara Tomaszewska , Alper Baba , Gulden Gokcen Akkurt , Mentari Mukti , H. Utku Helvaci , Bogusław Bielec , Magdalena Tyszer , Nalan Kabay , Michał Kaczmarczyk , Beata Kępińska , Agnieszka Operacz","doi":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103582","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103582","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Agricultural drying is traditionally used to preserve fruits and vegetables which mostly relied on energy-intensive processes usually powered by fossil fuels. In this review, we explore an innovative and sustainable alternative: using geothermal energy to dry produce. The paper reviews the main technical aspects related to the use of geothermal energy in drying fruits and vegetables. We delve into the technical details of two leading methods, hot air drying and refractive window drying, highlighting their advantages, drawbacks, and the critical factors that influence the quality of the final product. By examining real-world applications from countries as diverse as Iceland, the USA, Greece, Turkey, Macedonia, Kenya, Serbia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Thailand, Poland, and the Philippines, this paper showcases how geothermal energy can be directly applied in drying operations—whether through standalone systems operating between 60 °C and 97 °C or integrated cascade systems wherever geothermal resources are used for power generation and in the form of the waste heat for drying purposes, can be considered as important direction. Due to a lack of actual information on the economic aspects of geothermal drying, in addition to outlining the technical merits of geothermal drying, we also discuss economic considerations and potential challenges to provide a roadmap for future projects. Moreover, the authors underlined several aspects that can contribute to the failure or limited success of geothermal drying projects. Ultimately, adopting geothermal drying not only reduces greenhouse gases (GHS) emissions but also lessens dependence on costly, polluting fossil fuels, paving the way for a greener, more energy-efficient future in food preservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55095,"journal":{"name":"Geothermics","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 103582"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-20DOI: 10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103584
Xiang Yu , Zhongfeng Duan , Fulai Li , Yonghong Yang , Fangyu Dong , Yingbin Cui , Yunhua Chen , Lianghao Jiang
Hot dry rock (HDR), as the core carrier of enhanced geothermal systems, is a key strategic resource in the global energy transition due to its advantages of high temperature and wide distribution. It can be used to address energy crises and achieve "double carbon" goals. However, the current selection of HDR areas based on shallow geothermal field indicators has obvious defects. Currently studies mostly infer the deep temperature field from shallow data, ignoring the deep heat accumulation mechanism. This leads to significant errors in structurally complex areas and makes it difficult to accurately identify favorable deep HDR areas. In view of this, taking the Jiyang Depression as the research object, through core thermophysical property testing, drilling system temperature measurement, and two-dimensional heat conduction-radiogenic heat production coupling simulation. Its reveals the geological-thermophysical control mechanism behind the differences between deep and shallow geothermal fields, and proposes an HDR selection method. The study finds that the formation thermal conductivity and radiogenic heat production rate in the Jiyang Depression exhibit spatial differentiation, which is controlled by lithology and formation assemblage. Terrestrial heat flow varies from 52.9 to 81.5 mW/m², averaging of 65.8±5.4 mW/m², while the geothermal gradient averages 35.5°C/km. The Jiyang Depression generally shows the characteristics of a "hot basin", within the geothermal field being significantly affected by the tectonic framework in both vertical and planar directions. The differences between deep and shallow geothermal fields are jointly controlled by "tectonic undulation-lithological assemblage-heat source contribution", presenting the inverse of the "shallow high and deep low principle in uplift areas, and the inverse of the shallow low and deep high principle in sag areas". Furthermore, a new HDR selection framework on" vertical geothermal field characteristics-tectonic heat accumulation mechanism" is proposed, and it is clarified that the deep part of sag areas is the key area for HDR selection. This study theoretically enriches the regional geothermal geological theory , providing new methods and a scientific basis for HDR resource exploration in the Jiyang Depression and similar areas. This is significance for promoting the development and utilization of HDR resources.
{"title":"Mechanisms of differences between deep and shallow geothermal fields in the Jiyang depression under tectonic-thermophysical coupling","authors":"Xiang Yu , Zhongfeng Duan , Fulai Li , Yonghong Yang , Fangyu Dong , Yingbin Cui , Yunhua Chen , Lianghao Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103584","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103584","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hot dry rock (HDR), as the core carrier of enhanced geothermal systems, is a key strategic resource in the global energy transition due to its advantages of high temperature and wide distribution. It can be used to address energy crises and achieve \"double carbon\" goals. However, the current selection of HDR areas based on shallow geothermal field indicators has obvious defects. Currently studies mostly infer the deep temperature field from shallow data, ignoring the deep heat accumulation mechanism. This leads to significant errors in structurally complex areas and makes it difficult to accurately identify favorable deep HDR areas. In view of this, taking the Jiyang Depression as the research object, through core thermophysical property testing, drilling system temperature measurement, and two-dimensional heat conduction-radiogenic heat production coupling simulation. Its reveals the geological-thermophysical control mechanism behind the differences between deep and shallow geothermal fields, and proposes an HDR selection method. The study finds that the formation thermal conductivity and radiogenic heat production rate in the Jiyang Depression exhibit spatial differentiation, which is controlled by lithology and formation assemblage. Terrestrial heat flow varies from 52.9 to 81.5 mW/m², averaging of 65.8±5.4 mW/m², while the geothermal gradient averages 35.5°C/km. The Jiyang Depression generally shows the characteristics of a \"hot basin\", within the geothermal field being significantly affected by the tectonic framework in both vertical and planar directions. The differences between deep and shallow geothermal fields are jointly controlled by \"tectonic undulation-lithological assemblage-heat source contribution\", presenting the inverse of the \"shallow high and deep low principle in uplift areas, and the inverse of the shallow low and deep high principle in sag areas\". Furthermore, a new HDR selection framework on\" vertical geothermal field characteristics-tectonic heat accumulation mechanism\" is proposed, and it is clarified that the deep part of sag areas is the key area for HDR selection. This study theoretically enriches the regional geothermal geological theory , providing new methods and a scientific basis for HDR resource exploration in the Jiyang Depression and similar areas. This is significance for promoting the development and utilization of HDR resources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55095,"journal":{"name":"Geothermics","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 103584"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-18DOI: 10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103566
Mohamed Morsi , Florian Konrad , Kai Zosseder
Precise characterization of a reservoir's hydraulic properties is crucial for the efficient utilization of deep geothermal resources. However, this task becomes particularly challenging in reservoirs with high heterogeneity, as such conditions complicate the parameterization of numerical models, which are key exploration components. Nevertheless, introducing such spatial intricacy to a model often leads to increased accuracy and enhanced predictive capabilities. To effectively represent these complex systems, numerical models must reliably emulate natural reservoir behavior. Among effective modeling techniques, pumping tests are particularly important for their capability to explain groundwater flow dynamics near geothermal wells. At multiwell sites, integrating data from interference tests enables the investigation of the reservoir far-field, leading to a better understanding of the reservoir characteristics, interwell communication, and overall flow conditions. In this study, a multiwell site operates in a highly heterogeneous reservoir comprising two major fault zones that divide the reservoir into three blocks, as well as multiple influx zones, including a karst zone, debris facies, and porous matrix. This research aims to identify the hydraulic role of each reservoir component through developing a highly detailed numerical model that can reproduce the wells’ interactions during pumping tests. This also includes ranking the importance of each reservoir component on groundwater flow using a robust sensitivity analysis. Influx zones in the middle and bottom blocks were found to exhibit the strongest impact on the reservoir’s fluid dynamics. Karst zones, in particular, were also crucial to accurately capture the interactions between the neighboring wells, whereas fault zones diminish cross-fault interferences.
{"title":"Characterizing hydraulic properties of the Upper Jurassic aquifer in Southeast Germany using simulated pumping tests of a complex multiwell geothermal site","authors":"Mohamed Morsi , Florian Konrad , Kai Zosseder","doi":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103566","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103566","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Precise characterization of a reservoir's hydraulic properties is crucial for the efficient utilization of deep geothermal resources. However, this task becomes particularly challenging in reservoirs with high heterogeneity, as such conditions complicate the parameterization of numerical models, which are key exploration components. Nevertheless, introducing such spatial intricacy to a model often leads to increased accuracy and enhanced predictive capabilities. To effectively represent these complex systems, numerical models must reliably emulate natural reservoir behavior. Among effective modeling techniques, pumping tests are particularly important for their capability to explain groundwater flow dynamics near geothermal wells. At multiwell sites, integrating data from interference tests enables the investigation of the reservoir far-field, leading to a better understanding of the reservoir characteristics, interwell communication, and overall flow conditions. In this study, a multiwell site operates in a highly heterogeneous reservoir comprising two major fault zones that divide the reservoir into three blocks, as well as multiple influx zones, including a karst zone, debris facies, and porous matrix. This research aims to identify the hydraulic role of each reservoir component through developing a highly detailed numerical model that can reproduce the wells’ interactions during pumping tests. This also includes ranking the importance of each reservoir component on groundwater flow using a robust sensitivity analysis. Influx zones in the middle and bottom blocks were found to exhibit the strongest impact on the reservoir’s fluid dynamics. Karst zones, in particular, were also crucial to accurately capture the interactions between the neighboring wells, whereas fault zones diminish cross-fault interferences.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55095,"journal":{"name":"Geothermics","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 103566"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-16DOI: 10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103575
Dawa Nan , Sihang Han , Pingcuo Gesang , Qifeng Zeng , Yadong Zheng , Zhao Liu , Sang Gong , Duoji Gesang , Linjie Zhang
Thermal springs are widely used as direct, sustainable and pollution-free shallow geothermal resources. Understanding their genesis and evolution will ensure their sustainable development and use. Nyingchi City, located in the southeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is rich in geothermal resources. This study investigated the formation and evolution of thermal springs in Nyingchi City by studying the hydrogeochemical characteristics of 44 thermal and cold spring groups. Hydrochemical analyses of the springs show that the water types of geothermal water in the area include the HCO3, HCO3Cl, HCO3-SO4 and SO4 types. These water types are due to the weathering of silicate minerals, the dissolution of carbonate and sulfate minerals, and the cation exchange between water and rock, with the HCO₃-Cl type geothermal water containing a mixture of deep-seated materials. Using the silica-enthalpy mixing model, the cold-water mixing proportion in the geothermal fluid was determined to be 60–94%, while the silica geothermometer yielded an initial reservoir temperature range of 105.7–257.4 °C for the deep thermal aquifer. The hydrogeochemical characteristics of the thermal springs in Nyingchi City show discernible spatial differences. Thermal spring water-rock interaction occurs at a significant depth in the west, followed by interaction at a shallower depth in the east, and shallow interaction along the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis(EHS), where high-temperature steam flash heats the shallow cold water. These new findings advance the understanding of the formation process of multi-type thermal springs in Nyingchi City and provide scientific guidance for the sustainable development and use of regional thermal spring geothermal resources.
{"title":"Hydrochemical characteristics and genetic mechanisms of multi-type thermal springs of Nyingchi City, Southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau","authors":"Dawa Nan , Sihang Han , Pingcuo Gesang , Qifeng Zeng , Yadong Zheng , Zhao Liu , Sang Gong , Duoji Gesang , Linjie Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103575","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103575","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Thermal springs are widely used as direct, sustainable and pollution-free shallow geothermal resources. Understanding their genesis and evolution will ensure their sustainable development and use. Nyingchi City, located in the southeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is rich in geothermal resources. This study investigated the formation and evolution of thermal springs in Nyingchi City by studying the hydrogeochemical characteristics of 44 thermal and cold spring groups. Hydrochemical analyses of the springs show that the water types of geothermal water in the area include the HCO<sub>3</sub>, HCO<sub>3<img></sub>Cl, HCO<sub>3</sub>-SO<sub>4</sub> and SO<sub>4</sub> types. These water types are due to the weathering of silicate minerals, the dissolution of carbonate and sulfate minerals, and the cation exchange between water and rock, with the HCO₃-Cl type geothermal water containing a mixture of deep-seated materials. Using the silica-enthalpy mixing model, the cold-water mixing proportion in the geothermal fluid was determined to be 60–94%, while the silica geothermometer yielded an initial reservoir temperature range of 105.7–257.4 °C for the deep thermal aquifer. The hydrogeochemical characteristics of the thermal springs in Nyingchi City show discernible spatial differences. Thermal spring water-rock interaction occurs at a significant depth in the west, followed by interaction at a shallower depth in the east, and shallow interaction along the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis(EHS), where high-temperature steam flash heats the shallow cold water. These new findings advance the understanding of the formation process of multi-type thermal springs in Nyingchi City and provide scientific guidance for the sustainable development and use of regional thermal spring geothermal resources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55095,"journal":{"name":"Geothermics","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 103575"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-11-25DOI: 10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103540
Xun Huang , Jinhang Huang , Yi Xie , Boyi Zhu , Tao Feng , Hua Wu , Yangshuang Wang , Peng Zhou , Gongxi Liu , Ying Wang , Yunhui Zhang
Geothermal systems hosted by tensile faults in the interior of the Tibetan Plateau display distinct hydrochemical characteristics compared to those in shear faults at the plateau margins, reflecting differences in tectonic controls on fluid flow and heat transport. This study combines tectonic settings with hydrochemical data to investigate the differences and genesis of geothermal water chemistry in these two fault types. Using hydrogeochemical analysis and the Absolute Principal Component Scores-Multiple Linear Regression method, the study quantifies recharge sources, chemical component origins, and reservoir temperatures, and proposes a geothermal water genesis model. The results show that tensile fault-hosted geothermal waters (TFGW) are mainly classified as Cl-Na and Cl·HCO3-Na types, while shear fault-hosted geothermal waters (SFGW) exhibit HCO3-Na characteristics. Tensile faults serve as efficient conduits for magmatic heat and fluid, generating high-temperature (260 °C) parent geothermal liquids for TFGW, which mix with cold water to form deep (170.2 °C) and shallow (151.7 °C) reservoirs. In contrast, shear faults limit deep fluid flow, leading to lower deep (169.9 °C) and shallow (127.3 °C) reservoir temperatures. TFGW hydrochemistry is dominated by deep fluid contributions (57.6 %), while SFGW composition is controlled by leaching through granitic rocks (44.1 %) and dissolution of shallow sediments (29.0 %). This study enhances understanding of geothermal genesis and offers insights for sustainable geothermal resource development globally.
{"title":"A comparative study of hydrochemical signatures and formation mechanisms of geothermal waters in the tensile and shear faults of the Tibetan plateau","authors":"Xun Huang , Jinhang Huang , Yi Xie , Boyi Zhu , Tao Feng , Hua Wu , Yangshuang Wang , Peng Zhou , Gongxi Liu , Ying Wang , Yunhui Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103540","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103540","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Geothermal systems hosted by tensile faults in the interior of the Tibetan Plateau display distinct hydrochemical characteristics compared to those in shear faults at the plateau margins, reflecting differences in tectonic controls on fluid flow and heat transport. This study combines tectonic settings with hydrochemical data to investigate the differences and genesis of geothermal water chemistry in these two fault types. Using hydrogeochemical analysis and the Absolute Principal Component Scores-Multiple Linear Regression method, the study quantifies recharge sources, chemical component origins, and reservoir temperatures, and proposes a geothermal water genesis model. The results show that tensile fault-hosted geothermal waters (TFGW) are mainly classified as Cl-Na and Cl·HCO<sub>3</sub>-Na types, while shear fault-hosted geothermal waters (SFGW) exhibit HCO<sub>3</sub>-Na characteristics. Tensile faults serve as efficient conduits for magmatic heat and fluid, generating high-temperature (260 °C) parent geothermal liquids for TFGW, which mix with cold water to form deep (170.2 °C) and shallow (151.7 °C) reservoirs. In contrast, shear faults limit deep fluid flow, leading to lower deep (169.9 °C) and shallow (127.3 °C) reservoir temperatures. TFGW hydrochemistry is dominated by deep fluid contributions (57.6 %), while SFGW composition is controlled by leaching through granitic rocks (44.1 %) and dissolution of shallow sediments (29.0 %). This study enhances understanding of geothermal genesis and offers insights for sustainable geothermal resource development globally.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55095,"journal":{"name":"Geothermics","volume":"135 ","pages":"Article 103540"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145625091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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