Geothermal Structural Permeability Map
Summary
Permeability affects how easily liquids and gases can move through and be extracted from the earth, including hot water that can be used to generate geothermal power. The report highlights a need for greater support of technological innovation and research in finding prospective geothermal resources without drilling and developing technologies to increase flow-rate from geothermal wells.The Geothermal Structural Permeability Map project deliver an unprecedented, continent-scale archive of natural fracture distributions and attributes that can be used to predict subsurface permeability within Australias energy basins.It was the first ever investigation of the structural permeability of the Australian continent achieved by applying advanced geophysical, geomechanical, and petrological techniques in a cross-disciplinary approach. This integration of datasets delivered a unique database of natural fracture properties, as well as helping to develop new methods for the detection of fractures beneath the Earths surface and predicting how fluids will move through them.The project assists project development in engineered geothermal systems, in both sedimentary basins and crystalline basement regions. Better understanding of natural fracture distributions, attributes, and permeability provides data and insight for carbon capture and storage, unconventional gas resources, and groundwater resources.A key outcome of the project delivered a workflow toolkit for the prediction of permeability pathways in critical Australian basins. This is aimed at reducing the risk of drilling failure through better predictions prior to drilling, as well as giving developers the best chance of targeting areas where well flow-rates are highest.