Steptoe Valley NV Data Compilation: Understanding a Stratigraphic Hydrothermal Resource through Geophysical Imaging

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Sandia National Laboratories partnered with a multi-disciplinary group of subject matter experts to evaluate a stratigraphic geothermal resource in Steptoe Valley, Nevada using both established and novel geophysical imaging techniques. Provided here are a compilation of newly acquired data over the area and select modeling efforts. This encompasses a 3D geological model (inclusive of full Leapfrog files, Leapfrog viewer files, and XYZ data for faults and stratigraphy) with embedded geophysical modeling, controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) and magnetotelluric (MT) data packages, aqueous spring geochemistry data, seismic reflection interpretations, and a gravity data package.

The stratigraphic reservoir in Steptoe Valley was previously discovered during oil and gas exploration. Subsequent studies, such as the Nevada Play Fairway Analysis, added data which further highlighted potential resource targets in the basin. Geophysical surveys, complimented with refined geologic mapping and geochemical sampling, were deployed to further characterize the resource. The resulting 3D geologic interpretation, conceptual model refinements, and reservoir simulations suggest that a power-capable reservoir is economically accessible in the Paleozoic carbonates of the deep/central basin. Additional geophysical characterization and exploration drilling efforts are recommended to calibrate interpretation and determine where/how to potentially develop the Steptoe resource. The geophysical tools, interpretations, lessons learned, and publicly available data generated by this study establish an exploration methodology to inform decisions for successful development of stratigraphic reservoirs.

Citation Formats

TY - DATA AB - Sandia National Laboratories partnered with a multi-disciplinary group of subject matter experts to evaluate a stratigraphic geothermal resource in Steptoe Valley, Nevada using both established and novel geophysical imaging techniques. Provided here are a compilation of newly acquired data over the area and select modeling efforts. This encompasses a 3D geological model (inclusive of full Leapfrog files, Leapfrog viewer files, and XYZ data for faults and stratigraphy) with embedded geophysical modeling, controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) and magnetotelluric (MT) data packages, aqueous spring geochemistry data, seismic reflection interpretations, and a gravity data package. The stratigraphic reservoir in Steptoe Valley was previously discovered during oil and gas exploration. Subsequent studies, such as the Nevada Play Fairway Analysis, added data which further highlighted potential resource targets in the basin. Geophysical surveys, complimented with refined geologic mapping and geochemical sampling, were deployed to further characterize the resource. The resulting 3D geologic interpretation, conceptual model refinements, and reservoir simulations suggest that a power-capable reservoir is economically accessible in the Paleozoic carbonates of the deep/central basin. Additional geophysical characterization and exploration drilling efforts are recommended to calibrate interpretation and determine where/how to potentially develop the Steptoe resource. The geophysical tools, interpretations, lessons learned, and publicly available data generated by this study establish an exploration methodology to inform decisions for successful development of stratigraphic reservoirs. AU - Schwering, Paul A2 - Jaysaval, Piyoosh A3 - Knox, Hunter A4 - Roth, Melissa A5 - Faulds, James A6 - Mlawsky, Elijah A7 - Ayling, Bridget A8 - Hinz, Nicholas A9 - Siler, Drew A10 - Winn, Carmen A11 - Matson, Gabe A12 - Tomblin, Sydni A13 - Norbeck, Jack A14 - McConville, Emma A15 - Fercho, Steven A16 - Queen, John A17 - Hardwick, Christian DB - Geothermal Data Repository DP - Open EI | National Renewable Energy Laboratory DO - 10.15121/2282349 KW - geothermal KW - energy KW - Nevada KW - Steptoe Valley KW - 3D geological model KW - MT KW - Geochemistry KW - hydrothermal KW - stratigraphy KW - geophysics KW - magnetotellurics KW - csem KW - electromagnetics KW - gravity KW - geology KW - modeling KW - reflection KW - seismic KW - leapfrog KW - seismic reflection KW - water sample KW - processed data KW - raw data KW - controlled-source electromagnetic KW - leapfrog energy KW - feasibility KW - aqueous LA - English DA - 2023/11/01 PY - 2023 PB - Sandia National Laboratories T1 - Steptoe Valley NV Data Compilation: Understanding a Stratigraphic Hydrothermal Resource through Geophysical Imaging UR - https://doi.org/10.15121/2282349 ER -
Export Citation to RIS
Schwering, Paul, et al. Steptoe Valley NV Data Compilation: Understanding a Stratigraphic Hydrothermal Resource through Geophysical Imaging. Sandia National Laboratories, 1 November, 2023, Geothermal Data Repository. https://doi.org/10.15121/2282349.
Schwering, P., Jaysaval, P., Knox, H., Roth, M., Faulds, J., Mlawsky, E., Ayling, B., Hinz, N., Siler, D., Winn, C., Matson, G., Tomblin, S., Norbeck, J., McConville, E., Fercho, S., Queen, J., & Hardwick, C. (2023). Steptoe Valley NV Data Compilation: Understanding a Stratigraphic Hydrothermal Resource through Geophysical Imaging. [Data set]. Geothermal Data Repository. Sandia National Laboratories. https://doi.org/10.15121/2282349
Schwering, Paul, Piyoosh Jaysaval, Hunter Knox, Melissa Roth, James Faulds, Elijah Mlawsky, Bridget Ayling, Nicholas Hinz, Drew Siler, Carmen Winn, Gabe Matson, Sydni Tomblin, Jack Norbeck, Emma McConville, Steven Fercho, John Queen, and Christian Hardwick. Steptoe Valley NV Data Compilation: Understanding a Stratigraphic Hydrothermal Resource through Geophysical Imaging. Sandia National Laboratories, November, 1, 2023. Distributed by Geothermal Data Repository. https://doi.org/10.15121/2282349
@misc{GDR_Dataset_1568, title = {Steptoe Valley NV Data Compilation: Understanding a Stratigraphic Hydrothermal Resource through Geophysical Imaging}, author = {Schwering, Paul and Jaysaval, Piyoosh and Knox, Hunter and Roth, Melissa and Faulds, James and Mlawsky, Elijah and Ayling, Bridget and Hinz, Nicholas and Siler, Drew and Winn, Carmen and Matson, Gabe and Tomblin, Sydni and Norbeck, Jack and McConville, Emma and Fercho, Steven and Queen, John and Hardwick, Christian}, abstractNote = {Sandia National Laboratories partnered with a multi-disciplinary group of subject matter experts to evaluate a stratigraphic geothermal resource in Steptoe Valley, Nevada using both established and novel geophysical imaging techniques. Provided here are a compilation of newly acquired data over the area and select modeling efforts. This encompasses a 3D geological model (inclusive of full Leapfrog files, Leapfrog viewer files, and XYZ data for faults and stratigraphy) with embedded geophysical modeling, controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) and magnetotelluric (MT) data packages, aqueous spring geochemistry data, seismic reflection interpretations, and a gravity data package.

The stratigraphic reservoir in Steptoe Valley was previously discovered during oil and gas exploration. Subsequent studies, such as the Nevada Play Fairway Analysis, added data which further highlighted potential resource targets in the basin. Geophysical surveys, complimented with refined geologic mapping and geochemical sampling, were deployed to further characterize the resource. The resulting 3D geologic interpretation, conceptual model refinements, and reservoir simulations suggest that a power-capable reservoir is economically accessible in the Paleozoic carbonates of the deep/central basin. Additional geophysical characterization and exploration drilling efforts are recommended to calibrate interpretation and determine where/how to potentially develop the Steptoe resource. The geophysical tools, interpretations, lessons learned, and publicly available data generated by this study establish an exploration methodology to inform decisions for successful development of stratigraphic reservoirs.}, url = {https://gdr.openei.org/submissions/1568}, year = {2023}, howpublished = {Geothermal Data Repository, Sandia National Laboratories, https://doi.org/10.15121/2282349}, note = {Accessed: 2025-04-24}, doi = {10.15121/2282349} }
https://dx.doi.org/10.15121/2282349

Details

Data from Nov 1, 2023

Last updated Jan 23, 2024

Submitted Jan 23, 2024

Organization

Sandia National Laboratories

Contact

Paul Schwering

505.681.0457

Authors

Paul Schwering

Sandia National Laboratories

Piyoosh Jaysaval

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Hunter Knox

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Melissa Roth

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

James Faulds

Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology

Elijah Mlawsky

Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology

Bridget Ayling

Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology

Nicholas Hinz

Geologica Geothermal Group Inc.

Drew Siler

Geologica Geothermal Group Inc.

Carmen Winn

Geologica Geothermal Group Inc.

Gabe Matson

Fervo Energy

Sydni Tomblin

Fervo Energy

Jack Norbeck

Fervo Energy

Emma McConville

Fervo Energy

Steven Fercho

Fervo Energy

John Queen

Hi-Q Geophysical Inc.

Christian Hardwick

Utah Geological Survey

DOE Project Details

Project Name Understanding a Stratigraphic Hydrothermal Resource; Geophysical Imaging at Steptoe Valley, Nevada

Project Lead Alexandra Prisjatschew

Project Number FY23 AOP 3.1.1.11

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