Future Technology and Resources

Even direct flash and binary cycles do not comprise the full spectrum of generation possibilities. Another is the combination of combustion and steam or binary cycles in geothermal energy technology, perhaps to exploit the methane and thermal content of some geopresured resources.

In General, Geopresured resources are not yet a large prospect for electric power generation. A study of 20 specific prospects in Texas and Louisiana by southwest research concludes that the potential exists for extracting 7 x 10^12 ft^3 (200 x 10^15) of methane containing 7 quadrillion (7 x10 ^15) BTU, for total equivalent to about 5300 MW over 30 years. Economic feasibility would depend, for one thing , on a methane pric of a least $5/1000 ft^3 ($17.75/m^3)

The biggest shadow hanging over this resources, however, are the methane content of the geopressured fluid, the cost of production and reservoir life. For example, early indications are that methane content runs about 20-25 ft^3/bbl. of fluid of that reservoirs are small because of their geologic structure. Data for full evaluation of the resource potential are being developed in a $39 million DOE program.