Subsurface thermal modelling in the southern Llanos Orientales Basin for geothermal energy co-production

The geothermal gradient map of the Llanos Orientales Basin (Alfaro et al., 2009) shows a positive thermal anomaly in the south that has generated interest in harnessing the region's geothermal potential. Using 1D and 3D thermal models, three hydrocarbon reservoirs (Gachetá, Mirador, and Carbonera C7 Formations) were analyzed. The analysis identified four potential exploitation zones based on minimum temperature requirements for ORC coproduction plants: low (below 80°C), medium (above 80°C in one reservoir), high (two reservoirs above 80°C), and very high (all three reservoirs above 80°C, reaching 127°C in Gachetá). This reveals thermal gradients up to 79.8°C/km near southeastern basement paleo-highs. In the very high potential zone, the Apiay-4P well showed potential power generation of up to 700 kWe with a 10,000 B/D flow rate. A particularly promising area with high temperatures and multiple reservoir convergence was identified in the northwest. These findings provide valuable insights for future geothermal development projects in the Llanos Orientales region.