Overview of geothermal activities in Morocco

Abstract

In order to reduce the deficit of its energy balance, several research programs have been undertaken in Morocco for prospecting the possibility of new and renewable energy sources in the country. The temperature is studied by considering either the deep oil well data (1204 values) or data from shallow wells (300 wells and springs). Temperature measurements are treated in a synthetic way for each identified basin. This work allowedalso to compare the importance and meanings of the temperature methods and to propose a conceptual model of hydrodynamic operation of the hot water aquifers in Morocco as well as a synthetic diagram explaining the different behaviours of thermal profiles in the investigated wells. In Morocco there are several geothermal anomalies and thermal clues, with occurrence of numerous hot springs and important deep aquifers; thus it could be considered as a real geothermal promising country. However, the present interest is focused on the double use of hot water for both current human needs and enthalpy. Further attention is needed toward a better knowledge and utilisation of this kind of energy, especially in the Northern and probably Southern partof Morocco where high enthalpy is expected to be found.