Theoretical Geothermal Heat Potential in UK Sherwood Sandstone Basins

British Geological Survey legacy models estimate the theoretical 'heat-in-place' potential for the Sherwood Sandstone Group in four UK basins. The vector contour data represents geothermal resources in GJ/m2 or PJ/km2 for aquifer temperatures exceeding 40 °C. This dataset is derived from the 1995 'Atlas of geothermal resources in Europe: UK revision' and the European Geothermal Atlas.

Use Cases

• Map regional geothermal resource potential based on estimated 'heat-in-place' values.
• Compare theoretical heat resources across the Cheshire, Worcester, Wessex, and East Yorkshire-Lincolnshire basins.
• Identify areas with productive aquifers for hot sedimentary aquifer geothermal projects.
• Support preliminary resource assessments for temperatures greater than 40 °C.

Strengths

• Data is derived from authoritative BGS technical report WK/95/7 and the European Geothermal Atlas.
• Focuses on productive aquifer parts with sufficient porosity and permeability for geothermal use.
• Provides resource estimates in standardized energy units (GJ/m2 or PJ/km2).

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data is based on 1995 models; geological understanding may have evolved.

Provenance

Source

British Geological Survey (BGS)

Collection Method

Derived from legacy theoretical models and contour mapping.

Time Range

Models from 1995.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-09 08:26:06.695034; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Permo-Triassic Cheshire, Worcester, Wessex and East Yorkshire-Lincolnshire basins in the UK.