Saudi Arabia is enriched by many geothermal resources located mainly at the western and southwestern
parts. These resources are related to the general tectonic activity of the Red Sea and associated with a
series of volcanic rocks and ridges.The Jizan area is considered as a promising geothermal system that
includes a number of structural-related hot springs with surface temperature from 46 1C to 78 1C. The
present work aims mainly to explore and locate the potentiality of these resources through analyzing the
available satellite images,applying a number of geo-indicators and performing a 2D electric geophysical
survey,as well as estimating the geothermal reserve potential for possible energy production.
The available ETM, TM5 and 7 Landsat satellite images are interpreted. A geo-thermometric study
was performed to determine the subsurface formation temperature,heat flow and water type. A number
of 2D electric profiles are conducted in the study area to investigate the subsurface orientation of the
geothermal anomalies.The recorded resistivity data are processed and interpreted to delineate the
lateral and vertical configuration of the possible geothermal reservoirs.
This study revealed the presence of many good geothermal anomalies in Jizan province of which Al
Khouba geothermal resource is considered the most important. It is characterized by good surface petro-
thermal properties (high temperature,up to 78 1C and good flow rate)and promised subsurface
characteristics(good vertical and lateral extensions), as well as potential thermal properties.
The estimated thermal parameters are found to be 144 mW/M2, 318 kJ/kg and 133 1C for heat flow,
discharge enthalpy and subsurface temperature, respectively.A good geothermal potential of
17.847 MWt is estimated for Al Khouba hot spring providing a reservoir area of 1.125 km3. We do
recommend the official authorities to investment, encourage and support the future scientific research in
this area. |
