Geothermal groundwater study and its energetic potential assessment in Abu Gharadig Basin, North Western Desert, Egypt

The Abu Gharadig Basin (AGB) is one of Egypt's main oil-producing basins, characterized by a range of tectonic structures generated by intense extension and the deposition of a thick sedimentary sequence, making it an ideal location for geothermal energy research. In this study, seven groundwater samples were collected from wells drilled in the AGB to conduct hydrochemical and isotopic analyses. The results indicate that the region's groundwater is dominated by Na+ cations and Cl anions, which originate from precipitation and runoff. The application of cation geothermometers reveals that all the groundwater samples are in partial equilibrium with the host rock and may also be from mixed sources. The temperature of the deep geothermal reservoir can be estimated using cation geothermometers. The calculated reservoir temperature range deduced from Na-K-Ca geothermometry is 127-184 degrees C, with an average of 157 degrees C. The quantities of geothermal power stored in the vicinity of the AGB low-enthalpy geothermal field over the next 25 and 50 years were estimated using stochastic Monte Carlo simulations. For a site with a surface area of 1 km2, the geothermal power potential is 14.3 MWe for a 25-year lifespan and 7.16 MWe for a 50-year lifespan.

Automated summary

The Abu Gharadig Basin in Egypt is a significant oil-producing basin, characterized by tectonic structures and a thick sedimentary sequence, making it ideal for geothermal energy research. The study analyzed groundwater samples from wells in the basin and found that the water has Na+ cations and Cl anions, originating from precipitation and runoff. The application of cation geothermometers revealed that the groundwater is in partial equilibrium with the host rock and may come from mixed sources. The estimated temperature of the deep geothermal reservoir is 127-184 degrees C, with an average of 157 degrees C, using cation geothermometry. Stochastic Monte Carlo simulations estimated the geothermal power potential in the AGB, with 14.3 MWe for a 25-year lifespan and 7.16 MWe for a 50-year lifespan for a 1 km2 site.