Geothermal Exploration and Geothermometric Characteristics of Western Area in Yemen

Abstract

This paper presents geothermal exploration in the western part of Yemen. Geologically this volcanic province totals approximately 45,000 km2. Tectonically the study area is considered one of the most active areas in the Arabian Plate boundaries and affected by the opening of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden as well as by the African rift valley. Extensive field work had been carried out to evaluate the geothermal characteristics of this area. Water and gas samples were collected from hundreds of thermal springs and shallow domestic wells and geochemically analyzed and reported. Temperatures and PH values range from 35 to 96.3 °C and from 4.5 to 8.5 respectively. Deep geothermal gradient indicates that the geothermal gradients in the western part of the province (Red Sea coast) are relatively high up to 182 °C at the depth of 3290 m. Volcanic units are affected by hydrothermal processes and are intensively altered. By applying geothermometric methods, four geothermal fields have been primarily identified, they are: Al-Lisi-Isbil (Dhamar province); Damt (Dhala province); Al-Qafr (Ibb province) and the Red Sea coast geothermal fields. Results from the Al-Lisi-Isbil geothermal field are considered the most promising. Geothermal detail studies have been achieves and location of the first geothermal exploration well is located.