Geothermal Energy Country Update for Romania

Abstract

The main geothermal systems discovered on the Romanian territory are found in porous permeable formations such as sandstones and siltstones (Western Plain and the Olt Valley) or in fractured carbonate formations (Oradea, Bors, North Bucharest). The exploration for geothermal resources began, in Romania, in the early 60's based on a detailed geological exploration program for hydrocarbon resources that had extensive budgets, which also enabled the identification of eight geothermal areas. There are over 200 wells drilled with depths between 800+3500 m, that show the presence of low enthalpy geothermal resources (4O+12O0C). The completion and experimental exploitation of over 100 wells, in the past 25 years, enabled the evaluation of the exploitable heat resources from geothermal reservoirs. The total thermal capacity of the existing wells is about 480 MWt (for a refkrence temperature of 25OC). Out of this, only 152 MWt are currently used, fi-om 96 wells (of which 35 wells are used for balneology and bathing) that are producing hot water in the temperature range of 45+115OC. For 1998, the annual energy utilisation fi-om these wells was about 2,900 TJ. More than 80% of the wells are artesian producers, 18 wells require anti-scaling chemical treatment and 6 are reinjection wells. The main direct uses of the geothermal energy are: space and district heating: 37%; bathing 30%; greenhouse heating: 23%; industrial process heat 7%; fish farming and animal husbandry: 2%. During 1990-1 999 were drilled and completed 26 exploration-production geothermal wells (of which two dry holes), financed by the geological exploration fund of the State's Budget, with depths varying between 1500+3500 m. Currently there are 3 new geothermal wells in the phase of drilling.