Geothermal energy potential of the Northern Territory

Abstract

The Northern Territory is part of the Central Australian Heat Flow Province and possesses all the fundamental requirements for geothermal systems that could be used for hot rock or deep hot aquifer geothermal electricity generation. Crystalline basement rocks beneath the NT's basins are capable of generating high surface heat flows in many areas and adequate thermal insulation is provided by appropriate rock types in overlying sedimentary successions in a number of basins. The whole of the NT is currently in a compressive stress regime, making it attractive for the hydraulic stimulation of hot basement rocks, and basement is at a drillable depth in many areas. Sedimentary formations at depth may also be suitable drill targets, provided they are naturally permeable or susceptible to permeability enhancement.

The NT's onshore sedimentary basins are individually assessed for their hot fractured rock geothermal energy potential.