Drew L Siler (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 25
Play fairway analysis in geothermal exploration: The Snake River plain volcanic province
The Snake River volcanic province (SRP) has long been considered a target for geothermal development. It overlies a thermal anomaly that extends deep into the mantle and represents one of the highest heat flow provinces in North America, but systematic exploration been hindered by lack of a conceptual model. Play Fairway Analysis (PFA) is a methodology adapted from the petroleum industry that inte
Authors
John W. Shervais, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Drew L. Siler, Lee Liberty, Dennis Nielson, Sabodh Garg, Patrick Dobson, Erika Gasperikova, Eric Sonnenthal, Dennis Newell, James E. Evans, Jacob DeAngelo, Jared R. Peacock, Tait E. Earney, William D. Schermerhorn, Ghanashyam Neupane
Geothermal play fairway analysis of the Sou Hills, northern Nevada: A major quaternary accommodation zone in the Great Basin region
To facilitate discovery and development of blind geothermal systems in the Great Basin region, as well as assessment of known systems with surface hot springs, a play fairway approach was developed to evaluate and integrate multiple geologic and geophysical parameters for permeability and heat. Phase 1 of the project produced a geothermal potential map of 96,000 km2 of Nevada. This analysis yielde
Authors
James E. Faulds, Andrew J. Sadowski, Mark F. Coolbaugh, Drew L. Siler
Can geologic factors be predictive for distinguishing between productive and non-productive geothermal wells?
Geologic data are examined to evaluate whether certain geologic characteristics occur in higher abundance or higher magnitude along production geothermal wells relative to non-productive wells. We perform 3D geologic mapping, 3D stress modeling, and fault-slip modeling to estimate fourteen different geologic factors that are hypothesized to control or correlate with well productivity. The geologic
Authors
Drew L. Siler, Erick Burns, James E Faulds
Discovering blind geothermal systems in the Great Basin Region: An integrated geologic and geophysical approach for establishing geothermal play fairways: All phases
Most geothermal resources in the Great Basin region of the western USA are blind, and thus the discovery of new commercial-grade systems requires synthesis of favorable characteristics for geothermal activity. The geothermal play fairway concept involves integration of multiple parameters indicative of geothermal activity to identify promising areas for new development. This project integrated mul
Authors
E. Faulds James, Nicholas H. Hinz, Mark Coolbaugh, Bridget Ayling, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Jason W. Craig, Emma McConnville, Drew L. Siler, John Queen, Jeff Witter, Christian Hardwick
Integrating magnetotellurics, soil gas geochemistry and structural analysis to identify hidden, high enthalpy, extensional geothermal systems
We applied magnetotellurics (MT), diagnostic structural affiliations, soil gas flux, and fluid geochemistry to assist in identifying hidden, high-enthalpy geothermal systems in extensional regimes of the U.S. Great Basin. We are specifically looking for high-angle, low-resistivity zones and dilatant geologic structures that can carry fluids from magmatic or high-grade metamorphic conditions in the
Authors
Philip E. Wannamaker, James E Faulds, B. Mack Kennedy, Virginie Maris, Drew L. Siler, Craig Ulrich, Joseph Moore
Three-dimensional geologic mapping to assess geothermal potential: Examples from Nevada and Oregon
Geologic structure plays an important role in controlling fluid flow in geothermal systems. In particular, very complex structural settings, consisting of many closely spaced and intersecting faults, host many geothermal systems. To elucidate the key geologic factors that affect fault-controlled geothermal circulation, it is critical to precisely characterize the structural and stratigraphic geome
Authors
Drew L. Siler, James E. Faulds, Nicholas H. Hinz, Gregory M. Dering, Joel H. Edwards, Brett Mayhew
Uncertainty and risk evaluation during the exploration stage of geothermal development: A review
Quantifying and representing uncertainty for geothermal systems is often ignored, in practice, during the exploration phase of a geothermal development project. We propose that this occurs potentially because the task seems so formidable. The primary goal of this paper is to initiate a dialogue within the geothermal community about: which geothermal uncertainties should receive the most attention
Authors
Jeffrey B. Witter, Whitney J. Trainor-Guitton, Drew L. Siler
2D and 3D potential field mapping and modelling at the Fallon FORGE site, Nevada, USA
Accurate geological characterization of Fallon FORGE is important for preparing the site as an EGS laboratory. As part of this effort, a 3D geologic map was constructed previously from well logs, surface geologic mapping, 2D seismic profiles, interpreted gravity & magnetic maps, and a gravity-inferred basement surface. In this study, we have conducted both 2D and 3D modelling of high-resolution gr
Authors
Jeffrey B. Witter, Jonathan M. G. Glen, Drew L. Siler, Dominique Fournier
New data yield new geologic insights at the Fallon FORGE site, Carson Sink Region, Nevada
The geologic structure beneath the Fallon Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) site represents a record of the Mesozoic through Cenozoic tectonism, volcanism, and sedimentation that has affected the Carson Sink local to Fallon, NV. A robust dataset confirms that the lithologic sequence consists of Quaternary through Miocene sedimentary and volcanic rocks resting non-confo
Authors
Drew L. Siler, James E. Faulds, Jonathan M. G. Glen, Jeffrey B. Witter
Which geologic factors control permeability development in geothermal systems? The geologic structure of Dixie Valley
Geothermal systems occur where subsurface permeability and temperature are sufficiently high to drive fluid circulation. In the Great Basin region of the United States, which hosts ~20% of domestic geothermal electricity generation capacity and much of the projected undeveloped and undiscovered resource, crustal heat flow is relatively high, so permeability is the dominant factor controlling the o
Authors
Drew L. Siler, Jonathan M. G. Glen
Discovery of a blind geothermal system in Southern Gabbs Valley, western Nevada, through application of the play fairway analysis at multiple scales
The Great Basin region is capable of generating much greater amounts of geothermal energy than currently produced. Most geothermal resources in this region are blind, and thus favorable characteristics for geothermal activity must be synthesized and methodologies developed to discover new commercial-grade systems. The geothermal play fairway concept involves integration of multiple parameters indi
Authors
James Faulds, Jason W. Craig, Nicholas H. Hinz, Mark F. Coolbaugh, Jonathan M. Glen, Tait E. Earney, William D. Schermerhorn, Jared R. Peacock, Stephen B. Deoreo, Drew L. Siler
Stress concentrations at structural discontinuities in active fault zones in the western United States: Implications for permeability and fluid flow in geothermal fields
Slip can induce concentration of stresses at discontinuities along fault systems. These structural discontinuities, i.e., fault terminations, fault step-overs, intersections, bends, and other fault interaction areas, are known to host fluid flow in ore deposition systems, oil and gas reservoirs, and geothermal systems. We modeled stress transfer associated with slip on faults with Holocene-to-hist
Authors
Drew L. Siler, Nicholas H. Hinz, James E. Faulds
Non-USGS Publications**
Siler, D.L., and Karson, J.A., 2017. Along-Axis Structure and Crustal Construction Processes of Spreading Segments in Iceland: Implications for Magamatic Rifts. Tectonics.
Siler, D.L., Yingqi Zhang, Nicolas F. Spycher, Patrick F. Dobson, James S. McClain, Erika Gasperikova Robert A. Zierenberg, Peter Schiffman, Colin Ferguson, Andrew Fowler, Carolyn Cantwell, 2017. Play-fairway analysis for geothermal resources and exploration risk in the Modoc Plateau region, Geothermics. 69, 15-33.
Siler, D.L., and Kennedy, B.M., 2016. Regional crustal-scale structures as conduits for deep geothermal upflow, Geothermics, 59A, 27-37.
Witter, J.B., Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E., and Hinz, N.H. 3D geophysical inversion modeling of gravity data to test the 3D geologic model of the Bradys geothermal area, Nevada, USA.
Witter, J.B., Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E., and Hinz, N.H. 3D geophysical inversion modeling of gravity data to test the 3D geologic model of the Bradys geothermal area, Nevada, USA.
Witter, J.B., Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E., and Hinz, N.H. 3D geophysical inversion modeling of gravity data to test the 3D geologic model of the Bradys geothermal area, Nevada, USA.
Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E. Mayhew, B., and McNamara, D., 2016. Analysis of the favorability for geothermal fluid flow in 3D: Astor Pass geothermal prospect, Great Basin, northwestern Nevada, USA, Geothermics, 60, 1-12.
Siler, D.L., and J.A. Karson, 2012. Sub-volcanic subsidence and caldera formation during sub aerial seafloor spreading in Iceland, Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 124, no. 7-8, p. 1310-1323.
Siler, D.L., and J.A. Karson, 2009. Three-dimensional structure of inclined sheet swarms: Implications for crustal thickening and subsidence in the volcanic rift zones of Iceland, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 188, 333–346
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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Filter Total Items: 25
Play fairway analysis in geothermal exploration: The Snake River plain volcanic province
The Snake River volcanic province (SRP) has long been considered a target for geothermal development. It overlies a thermal anomaly that extends deep into the mantle and represents one of the highest heat flow provinces in North America, but systematic exploration been hindered by lack of a conceptual model. Play Fairway Analysis (PFA) is a methodology adapted from the petroleum industry that inteAuthorsJohn W. Shervais, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Drew L. Siler, Lee Liberty, Dennis Nielson, Sabodh Garg, Patrick Dobson, Erika Gasperikova, Eric Sonnenthal, Dennis Newell, James E. Evans, Jacob DeAngelo, Jared R. Peacock, Tait E. Earney, William D. Schermerhorn, Ghanashyam NeupaneGeothermal play fairway analysis of the Sou Hills, northern Nevada: A major quaternary accommodation zone in the Great Basin region
To facilitate discovery and development of blind geothermal systems in the Great Basin region, as well as assessment of known systems with surface hot springs, a play fairway approach was developed to evaluate and integrate multiple geologic and geophysical parameters for permeability and heat. Phase 1 of the project produced a geothermal potential map of 96,000 km2 of Nevada. This analysis yieldeAuthorsJames E. Faulds, Andrew J. Sadowski, Mark F. Coolbaugh, Drew L. SilerCan geologic factors be predictive for distinguishing between productive and non-productive geothermal wells?
Geologic data are examined to evaluate whether certain geologic characteristics occur in higher abundance or higher magnitude along production geothermal wells relative to non-productive wells. We perform 3D geologic mapping, 3D stress modeling, and fault-slip modeling to estimate fourteen different geologic factors that are hypothesized to control or correlate with well productivity. The geologicAuthorsDrew L. Siler, Erick Burns, James E FauldsDiscovering blind geothermal systems in the Great Basin Region: An integrated geologic and geophysical approach for establishing geothermal play fairways: All phases
Most geothermal resources in the Great Basin region of the western USA are blind, and thus the discovery of new commercial-grade systems requires synthesis of favorable characteristics for geothermal activity. The geothermal play fairway concept involves integration of multiple parameters indicative of geothermal activity to identify promising areas for new development. This project integrated mulAuthorsE. Faulds James, Nicholas H. Hinz, Mark Coolbaugh, Bridget Ayling, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Jason W. Craig, Emma McConnville, Drew L. Siler, John Queen, Jeff Witter, Christian HardwickIntegrating magnetotellurics, soil gas geochemistry and structural analysis to identify hidden, high enthalpy, extensional geothermal systems
We applied magnetotellurics (MT), diagnostic structural affiliations, soil gas flux, and fluid geochemistry to assist in identifying hidden, high-enthalpy geothermal systems in extensional regimes of the U.S. Great Basin. We are specifically looking for high-angle, low-resistivity zones and dilatant geologic structures that can carry fluids from magmatic or high-grade metamorphic conditions in theAuthorsPhilip E. Wannamaker, James E Faulds, B. Mack Kennedy, Virginie Maris, Drew L. Siler, Craig Ulrich, Joseph MooreThree-dimensional geologic mapping to assess geothermal potential: Examples from Nevada and Oregon
Geologic structure plays an important role in controlling fluid flow in geothermal systems. In particular, very complex structural settings, consisting of many closely spaced and intersecting faults, host many geothermal systems. To elucidate the key geologic factors that affect fault-controlled geothermal circulation, it is critical to precisely characterize the structural and stratigraphic geomeAuthorsDrew L. Siler, James E. Faulds, Nicholas H. Hinz, Gregory M. Dering, Joel H. Edwards, Brett MayhewUncertainty and risk evaluation during the exploration stage of geothermal development: A review
Quantifying and representing uncertainty for geothermal systems is often ignored, in practice, during the exploration phase of a geothermal development project. We propose that this occurs potentially because the task seems so formidable. The primary goal of this paper is to initiate a dialogue within the geothermal community about: which geothermal uncertainties should receive the most attentionAuthorsJeffrey B. Witter, Whitney J. Trainor-Guitton, Drew L. Siler2D and 3D potential field mapping and modelling at the Fallon FORGE site, Nevada, USA
Accurate geological characterization of Fallon FORGE is important for preparing the site as an EGS laboratory. As part of this effort, a 3D geologic map was constructed previously from well logs, surface geologic mapping, 2D seismic profiles, interpreted gravity & magnetic maps, and a gravity-inferred basement surface. In this study, we have conducted both 2D and 3D modelling of high-resolution grAuthorsJeffrey B. Witter, Jonathan M. G. Glen, Drew L. Siler, Dominique FournierNew data yield new geologic insights at the Fallon FORGE site, Carson Sink Region, Nevada
The geologic structure beneath the Fallon Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) site represents a record of the Mesozoic through Cenozoic tectonism, volcanism, and sedimentation that has affected the Carson Sink local to Fallon, NV. A robust dataset confirms that the lithologic sequence consists of Quaternary through Miocene sedimentary and volcanic rocks resting non-confoAuthorsDrew L. Siler, James E. Faulds, Jonathan M. G. Glen, Jeffrey B. WitterWhich geologic factors control permeability development in geothermal systems? The geologic structure of Dixie Valley
Geothermal systems occur where subsurface permeability and temperature are sufficiently high to drive fluid circulation. In the Great Basin region of the United States, which hosts ~20% of domestic geothermal electricity generation capacity and much of the projected undeveloped and undiscovered resource, crustal heat flow is relatively high, so permeability is the dominant factor controlling the oAuthorsDrew L. Siler, Jonathan M. G. GlenDiscovery of a blind geothermal system in Southern Gabbs Valley, western Nevada, through application of the play fairway analysis at multiple scales
The Great Basin region is capable of generating much greater amounts of geothermal energy than currently produced. Most geothermal resources in this region are blind, and thus favorable characteristics for geothermal activity must be synthesized and methodologies developed to discover new commercial-grade systems. The geothermal play fairway concept involves integration of multiple parameters indiAuthorsJames Faulds, Jason W. Craig, Nicholas H. Hinz, Mark F. Coolbaugh, Jonathan M. Glen, Tait E. Earney, William D. Schermerhorn, Jared R. Peacock, Stephen B. Deoreo, Drew L. SilerStress concentrations at structural discontinuities in active fault zones in the western United States: Implications for permeability and fluid flow in geothermal fields
Slip can induce concentration of stresses at discontinuities along fault systems. These structural discontinuities, i.e., fault terminations, fault step-overs, intersections, bends, and other fault interaction areas, are known to host fluid flow in ore deposition systems, oil and gas reservoirs, and geothermal systems. We modeled stress transfer associated with slip on faults with Holocene-to-histAuthorsDrew L. Siler, Nicholas H. Hinz, James E. FauldsNon-USGS Publications**
Siler, D.L., and Karson, J.A., 2017. Along-Axis Structure and Crustal Construction Processes of Spreading Segments in Iceland: Implications for Magamatic Rifts. Tectonics.Siler, D.L., Yingqi Zhang, Nicolas F. Spycher, Patrick F. Dobson, James S. McClain, Erika Gasperikova Robert A. Zierenberg, Peter Schiffman, Colin Ferguson, Andrew Fowler, Carolyn Cantwell, 2017. Play-fairway analysis for geothermal resources and exploration risk in the Modoc Plateau region, Geothermics. 69, 15-33.Siler, D.L., and Kennedy, B.M., 2016. Regional crustal-scale structures as conduits for deep geothermal upflow, Geothermics, 59A, 27-37.
Witter, J.B., Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E., and Hinz, N.H. 3D geophysical inversion modeling of gravity data to test the 3D geologic model of the Bradys geothermal area, Nevada, USA.Witter, J.B., Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E., and Hinz, N.H. 3D geophysical inversion modeling of gravity data to test the 3D geologic model of the Bradys geothermal area, Nevada, USA.Siler, D.L., Faulds, J.E. Mayhew, B., and McNamara, D., 2016. Analysis of the favorability for geothermal fluid flow in 3D: Astor Pass geothermal prospect, Great Basin, northwestern Nevada, USA, Geothermics, 60, 1-12.Siler, D.L., and J.A. Karson, 2012. Sub-volcanic subsidence and caldera formation during sub aerial seafloor spreading in Iceland, Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 124, no. 7-8, p. 1310-1323.Siler, D.L., and J.A. Karson, 2009. Three-dimensional structure of inclined sheet swarms: Implications for crustal thickening and subsidence in the volcanic rift zones of Iceland, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 188, 333–346**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government