Heat source study and geothermal reservoir assessment for the Zarqa-Ma´in - Dab´a, area Central Jordan

Abstract

The dominant structural feature of Jordan is the north-south trending Dead Sea Rift. It is an active part of the African-Syrian Rift, which extends for about 6000 km, from east Africa through the Red Sea, Wadi Araba, Dead Sea, Jordan Valley to south Turkey. The groundwater aquifers of Jordan are divided into three main complexes: A deep sandstone aquifer complex, an Upper Cretaceous aquifer complex and a shallow aquifer complex. The upper and lower aquifers are separated by more or less impermeable marl and marly limestone of Upper Cretaceous age. Geothermal resources in Jordan can be subdivided into two groups: Natural springs in sandstone rock formations, which are the main sources of geothermal energy of Jordan; and geothermal resources that were discovered during oil and groundwater exploration within the deep aquifers in the eastern deserts and along to the eastern margin of the Dead Sea Rift. The Zara – Zarqa Ma’in thermal springs are considered as the major geothermal manifestations in Jordan due to their high temperatures and flow rates. Many investigations of the geothermal energy potential in Jordan have taken place over the last four decades. Most of these studies were done for, or directed by the Natural Resources Authority (NRA). Thermal waters of Zara – Zarqa Ma’in have been subjected to many studies regarding their chemistry, heat source, therapeutic properties and their potential as a source of energy. A detailed study has been carried out for the three main deep wells in the Zara – Zarqa Ma’in area in this project and a volumetric geothermal assessment has been done by using the Monte Carlo method, for the area which lies between the Zarqa Ma’in fault and the Dab’a fault based on estimating the total heat stored in a volume of both rock matrix and water in the pores.