Geothermal

State Geological Survey National Geothermal Data System (NGDS)

The Arkansas Geological Survey, as part of a national effort of the Association of American State Geologists (AASG) and the U.S. Geological Survey, has received a Department of Energy grant to improve and update the National Geothermal Data System.  Over the next three years the state’s geological survey will bring data from the State Geological Surveys (via AASG) into the NGDS, by digitizing at-risk legacy, geothermal-relevant data (paper records, samples, etc), publishing existing digital data using standard NGDS data services, and through limited collection of new data in areas lacking critical information.

The purpose of this three-year project is to make large quantities of geothermal-relevant geosciences data available to the NGDS to up-date existing geothermal resource maps  for public consumption that might help identify and assess geothermal resources that exist in the state.  The study is tentatively set to begin in January 2011.

Each state brings a broad and diverse suite of data needed for effective exploration and development of geothermal energy to the table.  Bulleted below is an abridged summary of aggregate data for the fifty states that will be available through the NGDS:

• Well data – aggregate of 2 million water, oil & gas, and geothermal wells
• Hot springs water chemistry – for more than 6,600 sites
• Bottomhole temperatures – from more than 750,000 wells
• Well cores and cuttings – information on over 17 million ft from more than 540,000 wells
• Existing digital data bases – over 6 terabytes of data ready now
• Digital geologic maps – an aggregate of nearly 100,000 maps
• Direct use geothermal data 
• Geo-pressured data – 44,000 well logs and experimental results from the Gulf Coast
• Online publications – more than 3,500 publications in place with an additional 70,000+ anticipated
• New map data - collecting geothermal temperatures and gradients for states where information is lacking

For more information contact the Arkansas Geological Survey at 501-296-1877.