Developing geothermal energy resources is a complicated and difficult endeavor. It requires identifying a combination of heat and water at depths of 1–3 km below the surface, where temperatures are hotter than 150°F (65°C). When production wells are drilled, typically only one in five hits a reservoir even after extensive geophysical studies. We provide a new approach that reduces the risk by providing additional input on where to drill. We have validated this approach with several previous studies.The recording of micro-earthquakes offers a means to achieve high resolution of the geology, fracture network, and state of fluids in a geothermal reservoir. Micro-earthquake studies are limited by the high cost of sensors and recorders, installation and maintenance costs, and time and manpower necessary to process data. We have developed the field instrumentation, data processing, computational capability, and theoretical framework necessary to provide high resolution models of geothermal reservoirs at lower costs and in shorter time frame than has been previously possible.We are taking advantage of recent improvements in field instrumentation, new micro-earthquake location and interpretation methods, high performance desktop computing, and tomographic imaging techniques. We also make use of existing research that relates tomographic analysis to rock and reservoir properties. These improvements will lead to better understanding of the underground rock structure and possibly identify permeable zones, faults and heat sources. This information, in turn, will significantly improve reservoir evaluation, exploitation, and resource management capabilities. Further, it will help us make accurate projections of the potential energy capacity of the field. Thus, decision-makers can more confidently decide where to develop new resources and how to manage existing wells and reserves. Perhaps most importantly, improved capabilities will reduce the cost of producing electricity from geothermal sources. The inexpensive and easily deployable nature of the tools we have developed provide the potential for large scale assessment of resource regions throughout the world.
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