Characteristics of geothermal reservoirs and utilization of geothermal resources in the southeastern coastal areas of China

Abstract

Based on regional geological setting, stratigraphic distribution and other geological conditions, this paper summarized three types of geothermal reservoirs in the southeast coastal areas of China: Cenozoic sandstone or sandy conglomerate reservoir, Mesozoic granite fissure reservoir and Paleozoic karst reservoir. Cenozoic sandstone or sandy conglomerate reservoirs are mainly located in Cenozoic basins, such as Zhangzhou, Fuzhou, Sanshui and Leiqiong basins. The Tertiary sedimentary basins such as Leiqiong Basin and Sanshui Basin, are controlled by NE-trending faults, while the Quaternary sedimentary such as Zhangzhou and Fuzhou basins are controlled by NW-trending faults. Mesozoic granite fissure reservoirs are mainly distributed in the southeast coastal areas, such as Zhangzhou, Fuzhou, Fengshun, Yangjiang and southern part of Hainan Province. The distribution of good Mesozoic granite fissure reservoir in these areas is mainly controlled by NE-trending faults. Paleozoic carbonate reservoirs are widely distributed in these areas. Most carbonate rocks are from the upper Paleozoic strata, such as those in the area of Huizhou in Guangdong Province. The major types of geothermal systems in the southeast coastal areas of China belong to medium and low temperature convection. The geothermal resources developed from the ground to -3 000 m underground could be utilized directly for space heating, greenhouse heating, aquaculture pond heating and industrial uses, as well as other purposes. The geothermal resources with a depth of 3 000~6 000 m underground is mainly featured by Hot Dry Rock (HDR) with a temperature ranges from 150 °C to 200 °C, which is conductive to the development of Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) and can be utilized for power generation.