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Geothermal Exploration Programs
A typical (simplified) Geothermal Feasibility Program consists of a phased approached which can be generalized:

• Phase 1 - Existing data acquisition, compilation and preliminary resource assessment
• Phase 2 - Site reconnaissance, geologic mapping, spring and well fluid sampling and analysis
• Phase 3 - Staged temperature gradient hold survey (shallow and deep)
• Phase 4 - Geophysical survey(s)
• Phase 5 - Drilling and testing of exploration (discovery) and confirmation wells; reservoir analysis

In it's early years, GDA recognized the resource potential of a 30-acre utility owned parcel at the Steamboat Springs KGRA near Reno, NV. In 1983-85, acting alone, GDA undertook the geologic and geophysical surveys, acquired the lease, negotiated the power purchase agreement and attracted the capital to drill the successful discovery well.

The objective of a geothermal assessment program is to determine the location of the highest enthalpy fluids at their shallowest depth, where there is adequate permeability to complete commercially viable production and injection wells for power generation or direct use.  

Each phase in the exploration program is based on the findings of the previous phase in order to minimize risk and increasingly higher costs in successive drilling phases.        

Basic design and capacity of the intended power plant, binary or flash, will be largely dependent upon the character (principally temperature) and volume of the geothermal fluid delivered to the plant.

A comprehensive due diligence of the non-geothermal aspects of the intended project should be of the highest priority to the developer prior to entering the later geothermal exploration phases.