Investigation of geothermal resources using a geophysical potential field in the Hurghada area, Egypt

Abstract

Egypt's need for clean and renewable energy is pressing for numerous reasons, such as unpredictable fuel prices, diminishing fossil fuel resources, and growing concern about environmental degradation. Harvesting untapped geothermal resources could meet domestic electricity needs besides enabling Egypt to export electricity. The location of Egypt confirms that it has suitable geothermal energy potential areas in some provinces around the country, especially along the Gulf of Suez, the Red Sea, and the Western Desert. The Red Sea coast and the coasts of the Gulf of Suez exhibit several surface manifestations (hot springs and thermal water wells), indicating the presence of geothermal systems in these areas. The objective of this paper is to investigate the geothermal resources and obtain a full image of the geothermal potential of the Hurghada area along the Red Sea coast using geophysical potential field data. Aeromagnetic and aerogravity data were used to identify the most promising target regions for geothermal potentiality. Power spectral analysis of the aeromagnetic data was utilised to appraise the Curie point depth (CPD) and obtain geothermal gradient and heat flow maps of the Hurghada area, whereas a 3-D inversion of gravity data was utilised to estimate the depths to the Precambrian basement rocks. In addition to 3-D inversion of magnetic data to evaluate the spatial distribution of magnetic susceptibility. This study found no direct relationship between basement depths and the CPD, where basement rock outcrops at some locations correlate to a decrease in the Curie surface, while at others, they correspond to an increase.