First Geothermal Potential Evaluation in Mexico’s Gas Fields: The Comitas Field Case

October 1, 2025 marks a turning point for Mexico’s clean energy journey. For the very first time, researchers have carried out a geothermal potential evaluation within a gas-producing field in the Burgos Basin an area traditionally known for its prolific hydrocarbon output.

By: Robert Buluma

The study, led by Irving Torres Mata and Dr. Rosa María Prol-Ledesma from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), takes a bold step toward reimagining how oil and gas fields can transition into renewable energy hubs.

From Gas to Geothermal: The Burgos Basin Advantage

The Burgos Basin, located in northeastern Mexico, has long been recognized as an important hydrocarbon province, boasting strong gas production with some wells also yielding condensates. But beneath its oil and gas story lies another: a geothermal gradient between 40°C/km and 70°C/km, which places it firmly on the radar as a geothermal prospect.

Thanks to hundreds of deep wells already drilled in the basin ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 meters in depth scientists see a unique opportunity to repurpose existing infrastructure for geothermal energy generation.

The Comitas Field Case Study

The focus of this pioneering study is the Comitas Field, where bottomhole temperatures reach between 120°C and 180°C. Using geological characterization data and reservoir conditions, researchers applied the volumetric method reformulated by Garg & Combs (2015), specifically tailored for binary cycle power plants. To strengthen the estimates, they also ran Monte Carlo simulations to define the probability of different power output scenarios.

The results are striking:

P90 (conservative estimate): 0.8 MW
P50 (most likely estimate): 4 MW
P10 (optimistic estimate): 12 MW

Even at the lower bound, the ability to generate 0.8 MW from abandoned or active wells provides tangible proof that geothermal co-production is feasible.

Clean Energy for Nearby Communities

What makes this evaluation especially important is not just the numbers, but the vision it represents. Imagine towns near the Burgos Basin, historically dependent on oil and gas, now powered by clean, reliable geothermal energy drawn from the very wells that once fueled fossil fuel production.

By integrating geothermal with existing gas infrastructure, Mexico has a chance to:

Reduce carbon emissions while maintaining energy security.
Revitalize abandoned wells that would otherwise remain unused.
Set a precedent for other oil-rich countries to follow a similar transition.

A Model for the Future

The Comitas Field evaluation is more than an academic study it’s a blueprint for the future of energy in Mexico. It demonstrates that hydrocarbon provinces like the Burgos Basin can evolve into clean energy assets, ensuring both economic sustainability and environmental responsibility.

With the global spotlight shifting toward renewable solutions, this first geothermal potential evaluation in Mexico’s gas fields could spark a new wave of integrated energy production a true bridge between past and future.

Source: Research Gate

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