Preliminary Geothermal Assessment of the Tattapani Thermal Area, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

The Tattapani geothermal field, located in northeastern India has been the site of exploratory efforts designed to evaluate its geothermal potential since 1978. These efforts have included geologic, hydrologic and geochemical investigations, and recently the drilling of shallow thermal gradient well. The Tattapani area contain numerous hot springs which issue from fractured metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. The springs discharge water ranging in temperatures from 55-98°C. Several of the springs actively are depositing siliceous sinter around their vents. Most of the hot spring waters are dilute Na HCO3-C1-SO4 fluids with a total dissolved solid content of approximately 550 ppm. Cation geothermometers applied to chemical analyses of the waters suggest that temperatures of approximately 150°C could be encountered at depth.