| Abstract |
The progress of the knowledge of the geothermal resources during the last five years was remarkable and continuous in its positive tendency and the use oriented towards generating development from the direct use of the thermal fluids, as promoted during the last decade. Important advance was achieved in integrated knowledge of Argentine Geothermal Resources generating maps of different Hydrothermal Systems, identifying areas of the country depending on similar hydrothermal characteristics. Geothermal studies have been undertaken in nineteen new areas, arriving to Development and Production Stage in seven of them, Pre-feasibility Stage in eleven and Reconnaissance Stage in one area. Continuous remarkable development in the Northeastern area of Argentina, particularly Entre Rios Province, has now extended to new provinces (Misiones and Santa Fe). In Entre Rios Province five new thermal wells have been drilled with temperatures between 36? y 42? C allowing exploitation of four therapeutic recreational complexes (La Paz, Maria Grande, Barrio Belgrano and Las Golondrinas) and one thermal medical Center in Villaguay locality. Uritorco project in Cordoba Province and Cerro San Martin project in Rio Negro Pronvince, which are also both directed to Spa and balneology, complete the new seven thermal wells that show a new tendency: Thermal Spas in Argentina. The growing importance of this resource and the important role of this development in the regional economy in our Country are sustained by the several areas that have been studied during the last years with the objective of encountering thermal fluids with appropriate temperatures for direct uses. In Misiones Province (Obera and Alem), one of the new provinces incorporated to geothermal resource development, thermal well is drilled for potable water consumption purposes. While in other projects like in Cordoba Pronvince (Huerta Grande, La Falda, Valle Hermoso), Buenos Aires (Carhue), Entre Rios (Nogoya, Basavilbaso, Diamante and San Jose) and Santa Fe (Carlos Pellegrini) thermal fluids are directed to Thermal Spa and balneology which now a days appear as a remarkable alternative of economical development in Argentina. At the same time Copahue Project is being reviewed presently (Vapor Dominated Hydrothermal System) towards to electricity generation also during the last two years both Government and Parliament have been involved in preparing a Geothermal Law (Electric power generation) and a Thermal Investment Law in order to adequate legal framework to benefit development of direct uses. |