Tectonic Regime as a Control Factor for Crustal Fault Zone (CFZ)
Geothermal Reservoir in an Amagmatic System
Abstract
The Crustal Fault Zones provides an interesting geological target for
high temperature geothermal energy source in naturally deep-fractured
basement areas. Field and laboratory studies have already shown the
ability of these systems to let fluid flow down to
Brittle-Ductile-Transition. However, several key questions about
exploration still exist, in particular the fundamental effect of
tectonic regimes on fluid flow in fractured basement domains. Based on
poroelasticity assumption, we considered an idealized 3D geometry and
realistic physical properties. We examined a model with no tectonic
regime (benchmark experiment) and a model with different tectonic
regimes applied. Compared to the benchmark experiment, the results
suggest that different tectonic regimes cause pressure changes in the
fault/basement system. The tectonic-induced pressure changes affect
fluid patterns, onset of convection as well as the spatial extent of
thermal plumes and the intensity of the temperature anomalies.