| Title | Geothermal Resource Assessment of Asal Field, Republic of Djibouti |
|---|---|
| Authors | Daher Elmi Houssein |
| Year | 2010 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | Djibouti, Asal field, resource assessment, Monte carlo. |
| Abstract | Geothermal resource assessment is a quantitative estimate of thermal energy that may be recovered from the earth and used economically at some reasonable future time. This provides for either industry or government a framework for setting long-term energy policy and for strategic decisions. The unavailability of a reliable and affordable domestic energy resource is identified as the key barrier to socio-economic development in Djibouti. It deters investment in industry and commerce in an environment that is otherwise suitable for such investment. It is also a barrier to the attainment of improved material well-being by Djiboutian society, limiting the extent to which essential social services can be accessed by the majority of the population. The geothermal exploration phase in the Republic of Djibouti is at different stages. One of the main fields studied is Asal area with six wells drilled. There is also some other major areas explored like Hanle and Gaggade plain. Actually Asal area is on development under the concession of 750 km2 to Reykjavik Energy Invest. The plan is to build up a 50 MWe geothermal power plant at 2012 with a probably extension to 100 – 150 MWe. The salinity is between 50 g/l and 116 g/l. According to the last geophysical study made by ISOR at November-December 2007, three independent subfields were located in Asal area. The volumetric method is used in order to estimate an average geothermal electricity of Asal high-temperature hydrothermal convection system (> 150°C). The total geothermal power estimated is at least an average of 352 MWe for 25 years exploitation with 90% of confidence. |