The Potential of Enhanced Geothermal Energy
Systems in Saudi
Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a major oil and gas producing country, but
additionally it has good potential for other sources of energy
such as
solar
and geothermal
energy
. The potential of geothermal
energy
in Saudi Arabia is
evidenced by vast harrat fields covering huge areas along the Red Sea coast. Harrats are volcanic rocks resulted from previous eruptions started with the
opening of the Red Sea 30 million years ago. The last documented eruption in
the Hijaz Province happened more than 700 years ago. Yet, in 2009, several
earthquakes rocked the towns of UmLuj and Alais. The earthquakes were related
to an upward movement of volcanic magma in the Lunayyir Volcanic Field. The
eruption has not occurred yet, but it is expected to happen at any time.
The basic
components of geothermal energy
system are heat source, water and a reservoir
where heat is exchanged. The heat source is abundantly available along the Red
sea coast especially in Jizan Province. Several hot springs exist in that area
where the measured heat exceeds 50 C at the surface of the earth.
The
petroleum-related activities have proven the existence of sedimentary
reservoirs where hydrocarbons are trapped. These reservoirs and other
sedimentary formations can be developed for geothermal energy
reservoirs. Those
formations are available in Jizan and Umluj on the Red Sea shoreline.
Water is a
serious problem in Saudi Arabia; it could be a limiting factor on the
utilization of geothermal energy
. However, since most of the promising areas
are adjacent to the shoreline of the Red Sea, sea water could be used in the
system. Using the sea water will produce
energy
and desalinated water
by-product.
Saudi Arabia
has a good source of clean and sustainable energy
if the government decides to
utilize it. It exists on the other side of the country away from the giant oil
and gas fields, which substantially reduces the cost of transportation and
provides cheaper
energy
.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90142 © 2012 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, April 22-25, 2012, Long Beach, California