Delineating reservoir area using geologic remote sensing analysis, Jizan (Saudi Arabia): Implications for geothermal exploration

Arrofi, Daffa; Abu-Mahfouz, Israa S.

doi:10.1016/j.geoen.2023.212033

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 28 publications

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“…Once the water is heated sufficiently, it becomes less dense and starts to rise due to buoyancy forces. The hot water moves upward through fractures and pathways in the rock formations. − Pressure differentials within the geothermal system also play a crucial role in driving the flow of hot water toward the surface . The buildup of pressure in deeper reservoirs (such as that deep geothermal reservoir in the study area of Al-Lith) can push the heated water upward through fractures and faults.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrochemical Characterization, Geothermometry, and Origin of Ain Al-Harrah Hot Spring and Its Relationship to Al-Lith Geothermal System, Saudi Arabia

Rafiq,

Abu-Mahfouz,

Soupios

et al. 2024

ACS Omega

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The Al-Lith geothermal field in western Saudi Arabia is a characteristic medium-high enthalpy geothermal system, exhibiting features associated with tectonic activities linked to the Red Sea rifting. Ain Al-Harrah hot spring is located in the Al-Lith field, with discharge temperatures varying from 56 to 81 °C. The determination of water temperature and composition in a geothermal reservoir is critical to the design of utilization strategies, surface production facilities, and choice of materials. This research presents a comprehensive hydrochemical characterization of the Ain Al-Harrah hot spring and its relationship with the underlying geothermal system. This study was conducted in two main phases; first, the fieldwork involved the collection of water samples from the hot spring, measuring the temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) of the water. The second phase involved laboratory analyses of the collected samples, including major and trace element analyses, isotopic analysis, and geothermometry. The dominant hydrogeochemical processes in the region were determined by analyzing the hydrochemistry of the water samples. Thermal waters analyzed exhibited high concentrations of Na + (410−463 mg/L), HCO 3 − (64.48−90 mg/L), and Cl − (472.76− 581.95 mg/L), intermediate levels of K + (50.2−93.0 mg/L), and low levels of Mg 2+ (1.27−2.04 mg/L). The total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration ranges between 1830 and 2055 mg/L. The hot spring is categorized as Na-HCO 3 type facies that are moderately alkaline, with pH values ranging between 7.9 and 8.2. Analysis of trace element concentrations revealed that the hydrochemical processes were primarily governed by the abundance and solubility of trace elements in the rocks surrounding the hot spring, the pH, and the temperature of the hot spring water. The stable isotope data for δD (−12.36 to 15.21%) and δ 18 O (−2.84 to −3.38%) provided evidence that the thermal spring is of meteoric origin. Based on Na−K−Ca, K 2 /Mg, and quartz geothermometers, the temperature range of the reservoir was determined to be between 150 and 205 °C. The temperature range suggests a medium-to-high enthalpy geothermal system.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrochemical Characterization, Geothermometry, and Origin of Ain Al-Harrah Hot Spring and Its Relationship to Al-Lith Geothermal System, Saudi Arabia

Rafiq,

Abu-Mahfouz,

Soupios

et al. 2024

ACS Omega

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Aeromagnetic Data Analysis of Geothermal Energy Potential of a Hot Spring Area in Western Saudi Arabia

Chavanidis,

Salem,

Stampolidis

et al. 2024

Nat Resour Res

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Natural Fracture Characterization Through Digital Outcrop Model in Southwestern Saudi Arabia Geothermal Field

Arrofi,

Abu-Mahfouz,

Rafiq

et al. 2024

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Geothermal energy is the heat energy stored in the subsurface of the Earth due to the decay of radioactive elements within the mantle and the crust (Schubert et al., 1980). This energy is continuously produced, making it a sustainable and renewable energy source (Owusu and Asumadu-Sarkodie, 2016). One of the key advantages of geothermal energy is its capacity to provide baseload power that can be run constantly to fulfill the energy demands of any society, making it a dependable and persistent source of energy. Unlike other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, geothermal energy, it is not affected by weather or daylight and can supply a consistent source of electricity day and night. Saudi Arabia possesses significant geothermal resources along of western boundary for both volcanic and non-volcanic geothermal systems (Chandrasekharam et al., 2014; Lashin et al., 2014; Al-Douri et al.,2019; Abu-Mahfouz et al., 2023). One of the potential geothermal areas is in Jizan, Southwestern Saudi Arabia (Hussein et al., 2013; Chandrasekharam et al., 2016; Arrofi and Abu-Mahfouz, 2023). Despite the fact that Jizan has a medium-high enthalpy system, it is largely underutilized. One of the most prevalent challenges encountered during exploitation is a low permeability reservoir to allow fluid circulation. However, it can be addressed by undertaking a detailed study of characterizing natural fractures both in the surface and subsurface. Natural fractures might enhance fluid circulation and permeability, making geothermal extraction a more viable option (Arrofi et al., 2022; Viswanathan et al., 2022; Abu-Mahfouz et al., 2023). It is crucial to investigate the distribution, orientation, and connectivity of fractures in geothermal systems. In the Al-Ardah geothermal field, located in Jizan, hydrothermal fluid is believed to flow from the eastern region, following the dip direction of the regional faults, and discharge on the western side (Arrofi et al., 2023). The reservoir area is indicated to be in the eastern region of Al-Ardah within the granitic rock (Fig. 1). Additionally, the granitic rock in the Al-Ardah area had undergone significant alteration due to intense interaction with the thermal water (Lashin and Al Arifi, 2014). It also suggests that the reservoir is located in the eastern part of the hot springs area. This study aims to characterize fractures and investigate fluid flow in the eastern part of Al-Ardah, Jizan, using an outcrop analogue (see the study location in Fig. 1).

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Delineating reservoir area using geologic remote sensing analysis, Jizan (Saudi Arabia): Implications for geothermal exploration

Cited by 3 publications

References 28 publications

Hydrochemical Characterization, Geothermometry, and Origin of Ain Al-Harrah Hot Spring and Its Relationship to Al-Lith Geothermal System, Saudi Arabia

Hydrochemical Characterization, Geothermometry, and Origin of Ain Al-Harrah Hot Spring and Its Relationship to Al-Lith Geothermal System, Saudi Arabia

Aeromagnetic Data Analysis of Geothermal Energy Potential of a Hot Spring Area in Western Saudi Arabia

Natural Fracture Characterization Through Digital Outcrop Model in Southwestern Saudi Arabia Geothermal Field

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