Assessment of Geothermal Resources at South East Gulf of Suez, Egypt using Geophysical, Geological and Temperature Well Data

Abstract

The Gulf-of-Suez region represents the most promising area in Egypt for geothermal exploration which is characterized by superficial thermal manifestations represented by a cluster of hot springs with varying temperatures from 35 to 72ºC. The main purpose of the present thesis is to shed the light on the integration between gravity work and geothermal data in detecting the main subsurface structures in addition to expecting the geothermal sources in the area under consideration. Correction was applied on the bottom hole temperature data to obtain the true formation equilibrium temperatures that can provide useful information about the subsurface thermal regime. Based on these logging data, temperature gradient and heat flow values computed at each well, it is found that the mean geothermal gradient of the study area is 32 °C/km nevertheless some local geothermal potential fields were located with more than 40 oC/km. Also, heat flow values are ranging from 45 to 115 mW/m2. The Bouguer gravity anomaly map of the study area was used for delineating the subsurface structures and tectonic trends that have resulted in a potential heat source. The gravity inversion revealed a good correlation between areas of high temperature gradients, high heat flow and positive gravity anomalies. The high temperature gradient and heat flow values suggested being associated with a noticeable hydrothermal source of heat anomaly located at relatively shallow depths which is expected to be due to the uplift of the basement in the area.

Moreover, a relation between temperature gradient and depth to oil window was derived to show the role of temperature gradient in the maturation of hydrocarbon. Finally, a conceptual model of the hydrothermal system in the study area wasdrawn and thus the geothermal reserve of the study area was calculated in order to know the availability of constructing power plant for electricity generation or any other utilization.