Geothermal Exploration and Assessment: Techniques and Methods

Question 1

In geothermal exploration, which geological method involves analyzing rocks at the surface to deduce the existence of geothermal resources below ground?

Accepted Answer

Geological mapping

Answer

Remote sensing

Answer

Geochemical analysis

Answer

Geophysical surveys

Question 2

Which geophysical method measures variations in the Earth's electrical field resulting from temperature differences underground?

Accepted Answer

Electrical resistivity method

Answer

Gravity method

Answer

Magnetic method

Answer

Seismic refraction method

Question 3

Which type of geothermal reservoir is commonly associated with recently active volcanic systems?

Accepted Answer

Dry steam systems

Answer

Wet steam systems

Answer

Hot water systems

Answer

Geopressured systems

Question 4

What is the primary factor that determines the temperature of a geothermal reservoir?

Accepted Answer

Depth of the reservoir

Answer

Type of rock present

Answer

Flow rate of fluids

Answer

Surface temperature

Question 5

What is the underlying principle of the seismic refraction method used in geothermal exploration?

Accepted Answer

Measuring seismic wave velocities through different rock layers

Answer

Detecting variations in the Earth's magnetic field due to temperature changes

Answer

Analyzing groundwater chemistry to infer geothermal activity

Answer

Mapping surface topography to identify potential geothermal areas

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a typical challenge encountered during geothermal drilling?

Accepted Answer

Accessibility of drilling sites

Answer

High temperatures and pressures

Answer

Loss of drilling fluid

Answer

Equipment corrosion

Question 7

What is the purpose of geochemical surveys in geothermal exploration?

Accepted Answer

Identifying areas with elevated levels of dissolved gases and minerals

Answer

Determining the depth and extent of geothermal reservoirs

Answer

Measuring subsurface temperatures and pressures

Answer

Confirming the presence of geothermal resources

Question 8

Which geophysical method measures variations in the Earth's electrical resistivity?

Accepted Answer

Magnetotellurics

Answer

Seismic reflection

Answer

Gravity survey

Answer

Electromagnetic induction

Question 9

What is the primary target of a seismic reflection survey in geothermal exploration?

Accepted Answer

Faults and fractures

Answer

Rock layers

Answer

Fluid-filled pores

Answer

Geothermal reservoirs

Question 10

Which technique is NOT commonly used in geothermal exploration?

Accepted Answer

Aerial photography

Answer

Geological mapping

Answer

Geophysical surveys

Answer

Chemical analysis of fluid samples

Question 11

Which geological feature is often associated with geothermal activity?

Accepted Answer

Volcanic caldera

Answer

Syncline

Answer

Aquifer

Answer

Anticline

Question 12

What is the primary challenge in exploring and assessing the potential of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS)?

Accepted Answer

Identifying and characterizing the fracture network to enhance fluid flow

Answer

Estimating potential fluid flow rates and reservoir productivity

Answer

Predicting reservoir pressure changes during operation

Answer

Measuring subsurface temperatures accurately

Question 13

Which geophysical survey technique uses variations in rock density to detect subsurface structures?

Accepted Answer

Gravity survey

Answer

Seismic survey

Answer

Electrical resistivity survey

Answer

Magnetic survey

Question 14

What is the primary objective of a temperature gradient drilling program?

Accepted Answer

Measuring subsurface temperatures

Answer

Extracting geothermal fluids

Answer

Injecting fluid into the reservoir

Answer

Collecting rock samples

Question 15

Which of the following factors is irrelevant for assessing geothermal resource potential?

Accepted Answer

Proximity to infrastructure

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Fluid flow rate

Answer

Reservoir size

Question 16

What is the fundamental principle behind the magnetotelluric method?

Accepted Answer

Measuring variations in the Earth's magnetic and electric fields

Answer

Analyzing seismic wave propagation

Answer

Detecting temperature anomalies

Answer

Mapping groundwater flow

Question 17

Which geophysical survey method is best suited for identifying deep geothermal reservoirs?

Accepted Answer

Magnetotelluric survey

Answer

Electrical resistivity survey

Answer

Seismic refraction survey

Answer

Gravity survey

Question 18

In geothermal exploration, which geophysical method is most effective for detecting subsurface faults and fractures that can serve as pathways for geothermal fluids?

Accepted Answer

Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI)

Answer

Seismic Refraction

Answer

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Answer

Magnetotellurics (MT)

Question 19

Which drilling technique involves circulating drilling fluid to remove cuttings and cool the drill bit?

Accepted Answer

Rotary drilling

Answer

Percussion drilling

Answer

Downhole hammer drilling

Answer

Air drilling

Question 20

What is a primary objective of a geothermal resource assessment?

Accepted Answer

To determine the potential for geothermal energy generation

Answer

To identify the exact location of geothermal reservoirs

Answer

To monitor the environmental impact of geothermal development

Answer

To estimate the cost of geothermal energy production

Question 21

Which geophysical method uses seismic waves to create images of the subsurface?

Accepted Answer

Seismic tomography

Answer

Gravity survey

Answer

Magnetic survey

Answer

Electromagnetic sounding

Question 22

What is the purpose of a geothermal exploration well?

Accepted Answer

To confirm the presence and characteristics of a geothermal reservoir

Answer

To extract geothermal fluids for power generation

Answer

To monitor the environmental impact of geothermal development

Answer

To store geothermal energy for later use

Question 23

What are the advantages of using temperature logs in geothermal well exploration?

Accepted Answer

Provide real-time temperature profiles

Accepted Answer

Identify permeable zones in the subsurface

Answer

Unaffected by borehole conditions

Question 24

Which of the following geophysical methods is commonly used to identify geothermal reservoirs due to its ability to create images of subsurface structures?

Accepted Answer

Seismic reflection profiling

Answer

Gravity surveys

Answer

Electrical resistivity imaging

Question 25

In geothermal exploration, what is the primary purpose of drilling?

Accepted Answer

To gather subsurface samples and data for reservoir characterization

Answer

To solely map geological formations without further analysis

Answer

To immediately establish geothermal power plants

Answer

To inject water into the reservoir without prior assessment

Question 26

In geothermal exploration, what is the main purpose of developing a conceptual model?

Accepted Answer

Synthesizing and interpreting diverse exploration data to gain a comprehensive understanding of the geothermal system

Answer

Predicting the exact location of geothermal reservoirs with certainty

Answer

Designing geothermal power plants without considering exploration data

Question 27

What is the primary objective of conducting a baseline environmental survey in geothermal exploration?

Accepted Answer

Establishing the pre-development environmental conditions to monitor and assess potential impacts

Answer

Solely obtaining environmental permits without considering actual environmental conditions

Answer

Only identifying potential environmental impacts without establishing baseline conditions

Question 28

In geothermal exploration, what is the primary function of temperature logs?

Accepted Answer

Measuring subsurface temperatures and identifying potential geothermal reservoirs

Answer

Determining the depth of the reservoir without providing temperature information

Answer

Assessing the porosity and permeability of the reservoir without temperature data

Question 29

Which geological feature is a primary surface indicator of geothermal activity, often characterized by the release of steam and gases?

Accepted Answer

Fumaroles

Answer

Anticlines

Answer

Faults

Answer

Rivers

Question 30

Which geophysical method uses artificially generated seismic waves to create images of subsurface structures, aiding in the identification of potential geothermal reservoirs?

Accepted Answer

Seismic reflection profiling

Answer

Electrical resistivity tomography

Answer

Gravity surveying

Answer

Magnetic surveying

Question 31

What is the primary purpose of drilling exploratory wells in geothermal exploration?

Accepted Answer

To confirm the presence of geothermal fluids and gather data on subsurface geological formations

Answer

To estimate the flow rate of geothermal fluids

Answer

To determine the temperature gradient of the reservoir

Question 32

Which reservoir parameter is crucial for evaluating the potential of a geothermal resource for power generation, as it directly influences the amount of energy that can be extracted?

Accepted Answer

Temperature

Answer

Permeability

Answer

Porosity

Question 33

What presents the biggest challenge in assessing the long-term sustainability of geothermal resources?

Accepted Answer

Predicting long-term fluid flow patterns and reservoir behavior

Answer

Estimating the volume of geothermal fluids

Answer

Measuring the temperature of the reservoir

Question 34

Which type of geothermal system is characterized by the presence of a high-temperature magma chamber near the Earth's surface?

Accepted Answer

Magmatic

Answer

Hot sedimentary

Answer

Hydrothermal

Answer

Geopressured

Question 35

What is the primary objective of environmental impact assessment in geothermal exploration?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential negative impacts on the surrounding ecosystem and develop mitigation strategies

Answer

To determine the social acceptability of the project

Answer

To obtain permits for geothermal development

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT commonly considered a reliable indicator of a potential geothermal anomaly?

Accepted Answer

Presence of vegetation

Answer

Fumaroles

Answer

High soil temperatures

Answer

Hot springs

Question 37

What is the main advantage of using temperature logs in geothermal exploration?

Accepted Answer

They provide continuous and detailed temperature measurements at various depths

Answer

They can identify the type of geothermal fluid

Answer

They can determine the flow rate of geothermal fluids

Question 38

Which assessment technique combines geological, geophysical, and drilling data to create a comprehensive model of a geothermal resource, including its size, temperature, and fluid properties?

Accepted Answer

Integrated reservoir modeling

Answer

Geophysical surveys

Answer

Exploratory drilling

Answer

Surface exploration

Question 39

Which geophysical method is most commonly used to map subsurface structures and identify potential geothermal reservoirs?

Accepted Answer

Seismic surveys

Answer

Magnetic surveys

Answer

Electrical resistivity surveys

Answer

Gravity surveys

Question 40

What is the primary purpose of drilling exploratory wells in geothermal exploration?

Accepted Answer

To confirm the presence and characteristics of the geothermal reservoir.

Answer

To inject cold water into the reservoir for enhanced geothermal systems.

Answer

To monitor the temperature and pressure of the reservoir over time.

Answer

To extract geothermal fluids for immediate use.

Question 41

What is the main advantage of using geothermal energy for power generation compared to fossil fuels?

Accepted Answer

It is a renewable and sustainable source of energy.

Answer

It is a low-cost energy source.

Answer

It is readily available in all regions of the world.

Answer

It does not produce any greenhouse gas emissions.

Question 42

How does the concept of 'geothermal gradient' relate to geothermal exploration?

Accepted Answer

It helps estimate the temperature at depth and potential for a geothermal resource.

Answer

It determines the size and shape of geothermal reservoirs.

Answer

It measures the rate of heat flow from the Earth's core.

Answer

It identifies the composition of geothermal fluids.

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT a common method for evaluating the permeability of a geothermal reservoir?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic surveys

Answer

Well logging

Answer

Injection tests

Answer

Pumping tests

Question 44

A geothermal resource is considered 'high-enthalpy' when the reservoir temperature is above:

Accepted Answer

150°C

Answer

100°C

Answer

90°C

Answer

50°C

Question 45

What is the role of 'geochemical analysis' in geothermal exploration?

Accepted Answer

To identify the composition of geothermal fluids and assess the potential for corrosion.

Answer

To evaluate the permeability of the reservoir.

Answer

To determine the age and origin of the geothermal resource.

Answer

To map the subsurface structure and identify potential reservoirs.