| Abstract |
More than 300 hot spring areas are located along the Chilean Andes, associated with Quaternary volcanism. Systematic geothermal exploration in the northern part of the country started by the end of 1968, followed by basic geological, geochemical and volcanological surveys in many geothermal areas of southern Chile. These studies, together with wells drilled in El Tatio and Puchuldiza (northern Chile), allowed a preliminary assessment of the geothermal potential of the country of several thousands of MW. Renewed interest in geothermal exploration in Chile has been encouraged by the enactment of the Geothermal Law in 2000, which governs the regulatory aspects of the exploration and exploitation concessions, and also by the uncertainties regarding the imports of natural gas from Argentina, the vulnerability of hydropower to periodic droughts, and the environmental cost associated with hydropower and fossil fuels. Recently, a 4-year-long geothermal research project (2000 - 2003) was carried out by the University of Chile, in association with the National Oil Company (ENAP) and the collaboration of institutions from Germany, Italy and New Zealand. The main purpose of this project was to determine the geothermal potential of the central-southern zone of Chile. Detailed geological, hydrogeological, geochemical and, to a lesser extent, geophysical surveys, were completed in two selected areas, where inferred fluid were estimated to be over 250?C. Geothermal exploration in southern Chile has been also conducted by ENAP in the Calabozos thermal area, located 250 km SE of Santiago. This area consists of a liquid-dominated geothermal system, with water and gas geothermometry temperatures between 235? C and 300? C. During the same period, GeotÈrmica del Norte (GDN), a joint venture between ENAP and the National Copper Corporation (CODELCO), followed up on geothermal exploration in northern Chile. Geochemical and geophysical surveys conducted at El Tatio geothermal field turned out to confirm most of the previous findings about this field. Geothermal exploration surveys undertook by GDN also led to the identification of Apacheta, a new thermal prospect located 60 km NNW of El Tatio; there, reservoir temperatures of 250?C have been estimated. The numerous geothermal prospects of the Chilean Andes account for one of the largest undeveloped provinces of the world. However, a stronger governmental policy in favor of renewable energies is required to foster the development of geothermal resources. |