Geology and Geothermal Resource Utilization Options in the Arus-Lake Bogoria Prospect, Northern Kenya Rift

Abstract

Arus-Lake Bogoria geothermal prospect is located in the northern sector of the Kenyan Rift. Geothermal phenomena in form of fumaroles, hot springs, steam jets, geysers, sulphur deposits and high geothermal gradient expressed by anomalously hot ground and anomalous groundwater manifest the area. Detailed surface exploration surveys carried out in the prospect indicate presence of low to intermediate temperature fracture controlled geothermal system(s) in the area.

These low to medium enthalpy resources can be utilized in direct uses and electric power generation using binary-cycle power plants. The direct use applications that can be realized in the area include tourism, spa pools, greenhouse heating, agricultural produce drying and industrial processes. The direct use application currently available in area is tourism and a spa pool at one of the tourist hotel. Advances in binary-cycle power and submersible pump technologies have made electric power generation in low enthalpy areas commercial.