Western Australian geothermal project work continues
O&Gas and geothermal permits, Western Australia (source: Strike Energy)
Carlo Cariaga
7 Sep 2021
Having completed a heat needle survey in Western Australia, Strike Energy now seeks to develop an Inferred Resource model within the next quarter
Strike Limited Energy has concluded a 5-month heat needle survey across the company’s geothermal acreage in the Perth Basin. We had previously reported on the start of the survey. With this, the company can now apply for a Geothermal Exploration Permit (GEP) that will help identify and select the highest quality areas within the 3500-sq. km. Geothermal Special Prospecting Area (GSPA) in Western Australia.
Developing a more comprehensive model
The data collected from the heat needle survey is currently being processed by Dr. Graeme Beardsmore at Hot Dry Rocks Ltd. This data will then be integrated into the current reservoir model of the Kingia Sandstone, which also happens to be the host reservoir of Strike’s natural gas resources.
The existence of hot geothermal fluids in the Kingia Sandstone had been previously confirmed by an appraisal campaign done in West Erregulla. The West Erregulla 4 well discharged fluids with 10% brine and a well head temperature of 115 C. This was 30 C hotter than the well head temperature previously measured during flow test of WE2.
Previously, leading geophysics consultancy Delft Inversion had also done 3D seismic inversion modelling in the area. To date, water-wet porous sandstone formations have not yielded any obvious geophysical signatures. However, processing of the seismic volumes into a version that can inform the inverse for gas and water (instead of porosity) can help in mapping the geothermal potential of the Kingia Sandstone.
The new data will be integrated into Strike’s basin-wide subsurface model to form the basis of an Inferred Resource. This is expected to be finalized in the next quarter and progress into an Indicated Resource by 2022.
Options for commercialization
Strike is currently focused on developing geothermal power to contribute to the State’s decarbonization agenda and zero carbon electricity supply. They also aim to contribute to the aspiring hydrogen economy of Mid-West that is strongly supported by the State Government through the Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area project.
However, Strike is also considering application of the residual waste heat of the geothermal fluids. These opportunities include the use of residual heat for reverse osmosis and purification of the geothermal fluid to generate industrial water. The heat can also be used for high-temperature electrolysis for green hydrogen production.
Source: Strike Energy
