How to Generate Electricity in the Republic of Djibouti?

Abstract

There are abundant geothermal resources in Djibouti, about 910 MWe. Geologically, the most active area in Djibouti is the Asal area, about 100 Km away from Djibouti city. Six wells have been drilled in the Asal area, with varying depths ranging from 1100 to 2100 m. The temperature of the wells ranges from 260 to 360°C. Wells Asal 1, 3 and 6 have produced extremely saline fluids from 1000-1300 m depth where the aquifer temperature is about 260°C. Wells Asal 3 and Asal 6 produce highly saline (about 120 g/l) reservoir fluid and the scaling of galena at high pressure reduces the discharge rate. The precipitation of galene in the pipeline produces a decline of the amount of output fluid. How to solve this problem? How to add inhibitor to prevent scaling?. Extensive exploration and field tests need to be performed to accurately estimate the actual size and capacity of the Asal reservoir. Sinopec Star will do the follow-up work, firstly prospecting the geothermal resources and secondly drilling new wells for the generation of electricity.