An EC Project on Testing Geophysical Techniques for the Exploration of the Geothermal Field of Milos

Abstract

The energy R&D Programs of the Commission of the European Communities deal in particular with the development of thermonuclear fusion and the so called "non nuclear energies" including solar energy, biomass, wind power and geothermal energy. In surveying for geothermal reservoirs it appeared that the standard geophysical exploration techniques used in the hydrocarbon industry required modification of both technique and interpretation if they were to achieve their full potential. Collaborative projects have there for been established under which geophysical teams drawn from various Member States work together on selected sites. The summarized results of a joint geophysical experiment carried out by eight teams on the island of MIlos, Greece, are reported here. Shallow fractured regions forming the reservoir are filled with hot water and vapor, perhaps heated by cooling magma chambers. These fractured and saturated formations were the actual target of the geophysical exploration because they were supposed to be characterized by their very specific physical properties. Emphasis was placed on seismological, magnetotelluric and self potential experiments. An interpretation of the results form these experiments shows that correlation into a coherent model is possible.