Concurrent 21. Presentation for: Conceptual model of the Lower Permian Kingia Sandstone (northern Perth Basin, Western Australia) as an alternative energy resource
Trey Meckel A *A Monteverde Energy, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
The APPEA Journal 62 - https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ21376
Published: 3 June 2022
Abstract
Presented on Thursday 19 May: Session 21
The geothermal potential of the Kingia aquifer in the northern Perth Basin has been identified. In order to further assess resource potential, the occurrence, conditions, and properties of the Kingia Sandstone have been considered further. A new regional correlation supports the Kingia Sandstone being a regionally extensive unit deposited along the northern margin of the syn-depositional Dandaragan Trough. The unit is part of a falling-stage to lowstand system containing lower and upper shoreface, coastal, beach, and estuarine sands. Gross Kingia Sandstone thickness varies from 16 m on flanking terraces to at least 71 m in the basin depocenter. At depth, reservoir properties are preserved where iron-rich clay grain coatings inhibit cementation and preserve primary porosity. In such cases, net reservoir ranges from 3 to 58 m thick (18 m mean) and net porosity range is 12–19 p.u. (15 p.u. mean). The prevailing geothermal gradient is ~37°C/km with heat flow in excess of 90 mW/m2. Resultant Kingia aquifer temperatures exceed 115°C. Given the presence of hot, porous Kingia aquifer, the potential for geothermal power generation is strong. Production of Kingia brine to surface facilities allows for power conversion via established binary Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology. A scalable Kingia opportunity could help to meet Western Australia’s decarbonisation aspirations by contributing to the replacement of coal-fired and gas-fired power plants, plus supply of low-carbon power to local urea, hydrogen, and gas projects. An enhanced understanding of Kingia porosity distribution, reservoir compartmentalisation, flow performance, and ultimate energy delivery remain key uncertainties subject to future de-risking activities.
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Keywords: aquifer, compartmentalization, geothermal, gradient, heat flow, Kingia Sandstone, permeability, Permian, Perth Basin, porosity, renewable energy, stratigraphy, temperature.
Dr Trey Meckel has more than 30 years of experience at the forefront of the global energy sector, including significant experience in petroleum E&P, R&D, and alternative energy. In July 2021, Trey founded Monteverde Energy, focused on alternative energy resource identification, project management and maturation, and consultancy. He is also a co-founder of Groundbreaking Energy, a privately funded alternative energy start-up currently building a portfolio of projects. Independently, he advises a private Australian venture capital group that invests in disruptive technology and is a Tutor for the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Previously, he was Vice President of Global Exploration, New Ventures, & Geosciences for one of Latin America’s most successful energy companies. Earlier in his career, Trey worked for Shell and Woodside, and was a co-founder and managing partner of a SE Asian E&P start-up. Trey received his PhD from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), his MA in Geology from the University of Texas at Austin, USA, and his BA with Honors from Williams College, USA. Trey is a member of the Australian Geothermal Association and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. |
