Nevada Petroleum & Geothermal Society Monthly Dinner Meeting: Thursday, May 7, 2015
Speaker: Benjamin N.M. Delwiche, Senior Geologist, Ormat Nevada, Inc.
Topic: A Geological Model for the McGinness Hills Geothermal Field thru Exploration and Development: Evidence and Implications
Ramada Reno Hotel
1000 East 6th Street, Reno, NV 89512
Cocktail Reception 6:30, Skyline Bar, 14th Floor
HOSTED BY:
Paul Graham Drilling and Service Company
Resource Cementing
GEO Drilling Fluids, Inc.
Dinner Served at 7:00 PM
NPGS Members $20, Non-Members $23, Students $10
Abstract (partial)
Recent installation and commercial operation of two geothermal power plants at McGinness Hills (72 MW net total) located near Austin, NV, was achieved in two phases of development (2012 & 2015) and represents the successful execution of a geothermal exploration and development work flow. Prior to acquisition of a federal geothermal lease at the McGinness Hills project by Ormat in August of 2007, no geothermal leasing had occurred in the area, and all historical exploration drilling was related to metallurgical mineral interests. During the course of pre-drilling exploration, drilling exploration, and development drilling, a geological model was developed and aided in achieving incremental well field successes. During the exploration campaign, some of the ambiguities in the geologic and hydrothermal environment interpretations were reduced by implementing and synthesizing a multitude of studies including geologic mapping, geophysics (gravity, CSAMT, MT, & aeromagnetics), geochemistry (fluid analyses and tracer studies), and exploration drilling (core and slim holes). Although some ambiguities and uncertainties still persist, the current geological model describes a complex distribution of faults and rock-types containing the geothermal system at McGinness Hills and elucidates several possible key factors which may control and/or support permeability and heat flow associated with the system.
Please RSVP by Tuesday, May 5: RSVP Here
If you have RSVP’d, and find that you cannot attend, please notify NPGS as soon as you are able as NPGS will be charged for all no-shows.
Thank you for your consideration.