Authors / CoAuthors
Kirkby, A.L. | Budd, A.R. | Gerner, E.J. | Ayling, B.F. | Meixner, A.J.
Abstract
Current understanding of the temperature distribution in the Australian continent is based on sparse and unevenly distributed borehole temperature measurements, and even fewer heat flow determinations. To address this, the Geothermal Project at Geoscience Australia (GA), established under the $58.9M Onshore Energy Security Program, has set up a capability for determining surface heat flow across the country through temperature logging and thermal conductivity measurement. Without the resources to drill new holes, GA has worked with state governments and mineral exploration companies to access exploration and water bores for temperature logging. In addition to the continuous temperature logs recorded, the logging tool has a natural gamma detector. As of December 2010, 156 new temperature logs have been collected across all states and territories. Samples have been collected from most of these holes, and thermal conductivity measurement of these samples is ongoing. GA uses an Anter 2022 Unitherm thermal conductivity meter. As part of the set up procedures, an inter-lab comparison was performed between GA and Southern Methodist University (U.S.), Hot Dry Rocks Pty Ltd, and Torrens Energy Ltd. A comparison has also been performed between GA and the National Geophysical Research Institute (India). Where temperature data are sparse, it is necessary to use other geoscience information to assess the geothermal potential of an area. A thermal calculation module has been built for the GeoModeller software package by Intrepid Geophysics. GA is using this and other software to allow non-geothermal-specific data to also be incorporated into regional geothermal resource assessments.
Product Type
nonGeographicDataset
eCat Id
71351
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Custodian
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Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Dr GPO Box 378
Canberra
ACT
2601
Australia
Keywords
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- External Publication
- Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)
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- Earth Sciences
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- Published_Internal
Publication Date
2010-12-07T00:00:00
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geoscientificInformation
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