Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis: Phase 1 Report

This presents the results of Phase 1 of the Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis project, along with a proposed work for Phase 2. No new data were collected, but we list data sources for our compilation.

The Snake River volcanic province (SRP) overlies a thermal anomaly that extends deep into the mantle; it represents one of the highest heat flow provinces in North America. The Yellowstone hotspot continues to feed a magma system that underlies southern Idaho and has produced basaltic volcanism as young as 2000 years old. It has been estimated to host up to 855 MW of potential geothermal power production, most of which is associated with the Snake River Plain volcanic province.

Our goals for this Phase 1 study were to: (1) adapt the methodology of Play Fairway Analysis for geothermal exploration to create a formal basis for its application to geothermal systems, (2) assemble relevant data for the SRP from publicly available and private sources, and (3) build a geothermal play fairway model for the SRP and identify the most promising plays, using software tools that are standard in the petroleum industry. Our ultimate goals are to lower the risk and cost of geothermal exploration throughout geothermal industry, and to stimulate the development of new geothermal power resources in Idaho.