Technological advances have made data interpretation possible that was not possible in the past,
and in the process have rendered the conceived concepts from previous technologies invalid.
Natural state modeling is one technology that has made such advances. It is now possible to
easily and accurately render geologic, structural, geophysical, geochemical and mineralogical
information in manipulatable 3D software platforms, creating a more meaningful representations
of geothermal reservoirs and detailed conceptual models. Additionally, there have been
advancements in the understanding of the correlation of these types data with temperature.
Therefore, even with limited direct data (e.g. temperature surveys from wells), more accurate 3D
temperature maps and surfaces can be developed over a larger area in a new geothermal field,
with a combination of direct and indirect data, much earlier in the exploration process. A more
robust analysis through numerical modeling is possible, if the elements of the conceptual model
are captured.
Using a numerical simulator, every assumption used in building the conceptual model separately
is tested within the context of a physical system to verify that the model is internally consistent
and conforms to the laws of physics. Numerical modeling includes the fourth dimension, of time,
as the field starts from nothing and must develop in the model. Understanding what forces led to
a particular temperature value at a particular location, beyond the static measurement at that
location, allows for holistic understanding of a dynamic system. Results of the natural state
modeling force changes to the conceptual model to allow the temperature to develop through
time, into the current temperature configuration. The results can also alter the expected
temperature distribution to a larger, smaller or different shape. The numerical simulation
becomes part of the geological modeling effort in an iterative process where the combined effort
is greater than the sum of its parts.