Low - medium enthalpy geothermal resource assessment in deep reservoirs of the Llanos Basin - Colombia

Abstract

The exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in sedimentary basins such as the Llanos Basin of Colombia, have enabled the acquisition of large volumes of surface and subsurface data, for assessing the geothermal potential of deep aquifers. The integrated analysis of geothermal play elements such as temperature, reservoir - fluid properties, and their depth in the basin, with the available hydrogeological-chemical data, allow us to define three regional plays as follows: Play A, characterized by naturally fractured reservoirs, in crystalline basement rocks - Paleozoic, with temperatures above 150 ºC, semi-confined aquifers; b) Play B, composed by Mesozoic quartz sandstone reservoirs, with primary porosity greater than 10%, temperatures between 75 ºC to 150 ºC, semi-confined aquifers, near to high hydraulic head zones with 500 m difference ranges in the regional piezometric surface; c) Play C, composed by Mesozoic quartz sandstones, high primary porosity, temperatures below 100 ºC, confined aquifers. Available well and Oil and Gas production data suggests that Play A is speculative, Play B is hypothetical, and Play C is known.

Identification of a Potential Geothermal Resource in Colombia through the Application of Geoelectric Methods at the Aguas de Vichy Spring in the Municipality of San Andrés, Santander

“…Local examples of conduction-dominated systems include the pilot project by Parex Resources in Casanare's Las Maracas and Rumba fields, undergoing assessments to enhance conductiondominated and low-entalphy geothermal resources are being performed in the Llanos Basin [López-Ramos et al, 2022]. Similar studies are underway internationally, such as in China, where the feasibility of using abandoned oil and gas wells for energy is being assessed [Bu et al, 2012], and in Uruguay, where the geothermal potential of sedimentary onshore basins is explored [Morales et al, 2021].…”