#55 - Maria Richards & Joseph Batir, The Geothermal Energy Potential of Texas

Texas Water Journal and Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Maria Richards, Geothermal Laboratory Coordinator in the Department of Earth Sciences at Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Joseph Batir, Geothermal Lead at Petrolern, about the geothermal energy potential of Texas. Recently, the Texas Water Journal published their article, “Determining Geothermal Resources in Three Texas Counties.”Maria Richards' research focuses on geothermal resources and energy development. Her projects vary from computer-generated temperature-depth maps for Google.org to on-site geothermal exploration of the volcanic islands in the Northern Mariana Islands. Currently, her concentration is on the conversion of oil/gas wells into geothermal energy producers.  She co-coordinates the SMU Node of the National Geothermal Data System funded by the Department of Energy. Past research includes the Eastern Texas Geothermal Assessment, Geothermal Map of North America, and the resource assessment for the MIT Report on the Future of Geothermal Energy.Joseph Batir is an exploration geoscientist for Petrolern. He has exploration experience in the Gulf Coast, East Texas and South Texas, Permian Basin, Alaska (Cook Inlet and Interior), British Columbia, offshore West Africa, Illinois Basin, Michigan Basin, Snake River Plain, and the Hellisheidi geothermal field in Iceland. His research has resulted in new insights and prospect generation within existing and emerging plays.Take a deep dive into the world of water with those making waves.