Geothermal exploration in Eritrea

Abstract

Eritrea relies its electric generation totally from imported refined petroleum products, which is based on oil burning products. Therefore harnessing the geothermal potential has a significant impact on the economic development of Eritrea. The impact can be viewed both the unreliable cost fluctuation mainly increment of fuel cost coupled with the unfriendly environment. Therefore geothermal energy will have an important input in alleviating expenditure on foreign currency while safeguarding the environment. The tectonic setting and geological makeup of the Danakil region of Eritrea is a favorable site for having geothermal resources that are potential for the development of geothermal resources mainly for electrical generation and geothermal utilization. Alid and Nabro-Dubbi fields are the notable places with ample geothermal manifestations. The 2011 eruption in Nabro-Dubbi signifies that the area is still an active magmatic zone. The old surface manifestation has covered by basaltic flows and ashes. It is to be noted also that other high geothermal manifestations occur in Jalua volcanic complex. There are considerable low temperature-thermal springs potential for recreation spas, health and mineral water bottling, and etc, occur at around the Asmara-Massawa highway, close to Gulf of Zula and within the Danakil Depression, which mostly do not show any immediate association with recent magmatism.

The completion of some of the surface studies on Alid prompts here to concentrate on the recent work performed. The hydrogeological assessment performed regionally indicates that the recharge area is mainly from three catchments mainly the input is from highland area. Thorough assessments of Rose diagram and fault and fracture (FFD) analyses have been performed to know areas of up-flow zone. A more than 2250 C reservoir temperature was estimated using gas geothermometers from Alid geothermal prospect. The resistivity survey that was conducted recently has availed an interesting anomaly at the rift floor and opened a wider perspective in exploration. All the remaining surface exploration was planned to deploy in Alid Gravity and microseismic studies and soil-gas surveys are planned to complete surface exploration studies so that sites for drilling of exploratory wells will be selected.