| Title | GRENADA GEOTHERMAL SURFACE EXPLORATION |
|---|---|
| Authors | L. Urzua, O. Benavente, A. Brookes and G. Ussher |
| Year | 2015 |
| Conference | New Zealand Geothermal Workshop |
| Keywords | Grenada, Geothermal, Chemistry, Geology geophysics, Magnetotellurics, Conceptual Model. |
| Abstract | In 2014, the Government of Grenada requested technical assistance from the Government of New Zealand to investigate geothermal resources on the Island of Grenada and assess their suitability for use in the generation of electricity. A comprehensive geothermal investigation program was undertaken by Jacobs New Zealand Ltd in 2015 to assess the existence of a geothermal system in Grenada. The results indicate the presence of a considerable (between 4 km2 and 8 km2), high-temperature resource (200°C to <290°C) associated with the Mount Saint Catherine volcano. These indications suggest that the geothermal resource would be of sufficient size to more than meet the base load electricity demand of Grenada, assuming that the resource can be proven through exploration drilling and the project reaches commercial operation. The preliminary conceptual model proposes that the upflow of the system could be located near the thermal features on top of Mount Saint Catherine. The geothermal fluids would ascend through the sedimentary deposits of the Tufton Hall Formation and the volcanic deposits of Mount Saint Catherine volcano. The reservoir fluids reach the surface, after mixing with shallow groundwaters, at Castle Hill and Chambord at levels between 20 and 200 metres above sea level. The geothermal fluids also reach the surface as steam heated features at Hapsack, Mt Hope, Plaisance Estate, Clabony, Adelphi, Belair and Peggy’s Whim at levels between 200 to 560 metres above sea level. The next development stage should seek to refine the proposed boundaries of the field through additional infill MT survey and a detailed field exploration programme in the area of Belair Estate. In addition, a gravity survey is recommended to identify the interface of the Mount Saint Catherine volcanic sequences and the Tufton Hall formation. |