A novel approach to map permeability using passive seismic emission tomography Award Number: DE-EE0007698 CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.1 Geothermal Technologies Office Date: 8/29/2016 Location(s): OH Office(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
September 9, 2016
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A novel approach to map permeability using passive seismic emission tomography
Award Number: DE-EE0007698
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.1
Geothermal Technologies Office
Date: 8/29/2016
Location(s): NV
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to U.S. Geothermal, Inc. (USG) for the collection of new electromagnetic and passive seismic data to map the permeability of the San Emidio geothermal resource area and the Crescent Valley geothermal prospect in northern Nevada. Processing and integration of datasets would take place at Optim, Inc. in Nevada, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, and USG offices in Idaho. If the data collection and analyses in Budget Period (BP) 1 are successful, drill testing of targets would occur in BP2. This NEPA Determination is specific to BP1 activities only. There is a Go-No Go decision point after BP1 to determine if further activities would be justified based on data collected during BP1. Further NEPA review will be required for BP2 once specific well targets have been selected.
Project activities include planning, historic data review, passive seismic surveys, electromagnetic surveys, data evaluation, and modeling. All project work, other than what is discussed below, would occur within existing office and laboratory facilities. No resources of concern, other than those discussed below, were found during review of the proposed project.