九大地熱・火山研究報告第 11 号 (2002) 4-6 頁

ALGERIA GEOTHERMAL COUNTRY REPORT
Fatima Zohra Kedaid

ABSTRACTThe geothermal exploration in Algeria has proven a large low- enthalpy geothermal potential. Geothermal
utilisation included mainly therapeutic purposes and a few experimental greenhouses in the south part of Algeria.
1. INTRODUCTION

The geothermal exploration program in Algeria
started in 1967 and was undertaken by the nationaloil company (SONATRACH). In 1982 the electricalcompany SONELGAZ in association with theItalian company (ENEL) undertook the geothermal
recognition studies of the NE part of the country.
In the first stage, the geothermal studies concerned
mainly the northern-east part of Algeria. From 1983
and onwards the geothermal work is being continued
by the Renewable Energies Centre (CDER) and theprogram was extended to the whole north part of thecountry.
Fig. 1 Main geothermal areas (Fekraoui andAbouriche, 1995)

The geothermal development has remained stagnant
during the last decade. Presently renewed effort is put
into developing large projects with as the first stage,
the establishment of the geothermal atlas of Algeria.

2. HYDROTHERMAL RESOURCES OF THE NORTH

More than 200 main hot springs have been inventoried;
their temperatures range from 22°C to 98°C (Fig.2).
The hottest are located in the northeastern part ofAlgeria (98 °C at Hammam Chellala spring).
Correlation between oxygen 18 and deuterium confirm
the meteoric origin of these waters.

The geothermal resources of Algeria could be grouped
into the following broad areas (Fig1):- the north part characterised by a complex geology ofoverthrusting allochtonous formations and where thegeothermal aquifers are discontinues;-the south part (northern Sahara) is geologicallyconsidered as a stable zone, characterised by
sedimentary basins. Resources in water of the northern
Sahara were the object of a detailed study conductedby the UNESCO and UNDP.

The Total Dissolved Solid of these springs is greaterthan 1 g/l (Fig.3) and the chemical composition varyfrom Na-Cl type to Na-HCO 3 and Na-SO 4 types.
Despite the large availability of the chemical data forthese springs, they are however not complete. Future
work should focus on completing these data. In thisgoal one hundred springs are selected for the field andlaboratory analysis.

Experimental greenhouses located in Touggourt andOuargla areas were installed, in the south of Algeria(Fig.1) using Albian geothermal water of 50°C.

Centre de Development des Energies Renouvelables, B.P.62, Route de l'Observatoire, Bouzareah, Alger, Algeria

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ALGERIA GEOTHERMAL COUNTRY REPORT

We have tested chemical geothermometers on some
hot springs whose the data are available, the silica
geothermometers were judged to be more reliable.
For example the deep temperature is about 120 ° Cfor Hammam Chellala and Bou Hajar Springs in theeastern part of Algeria.

4. CONCLUSIONSIn conclusion we can affirm that the North East andNorth West present a geothermal interest seen thegeological conditions and the large number of hot
springs without forgetting the south where the reservesin water, of the Albian sandstone, are very important(Fig.5).

The geothermal gradient was evaluated using oil wells
bottom hole temperatures and a few gradient dataof well situated in the NE part. Because the data arescattered we have established a sketch of geothermalgradient. Figure 4 shows three anomalies withgeothermal gradient greater than 5°C/ 100m.

More detailed studies on geothermal exploration anddrilling are necessary to promote this energy.
REFERNCES

3. HYDROTHERMAL RESOURCES OF THE SOUTH

ENEL (1982), Etude de reconnaissance geothermiquedu constantinois oriental.

The northern Sahara contains a large geothermalaquifer, which is of the "Continental Intercalaire".
Detrital Mesozoic rocks constitute this aquifer; it iscalled Albian reservoir. It constitutes a continuous
reservoir that spreads Tunisia until Libya and covers
a surface of 600.000 km2 (Fig.1). The thicknessof this reservoir varies from 200m (to the west) tomore of 1000m (to the East). In its Eastern part, theaquifer is confined and the roof of the reservoir passes
progressively from -800 m (at Ouargla) to -1300m (at Touggourt) and to -2600 m (at Biskra). The
temperature of waters at the exit of the deeper wells is
about 50-60°C and the flow rate is of 100 to 400 l/s.

Ke d a i d a n d a l l ( 1 9 8 8 ) , C a r t e g e o t h e r m i q u e
preliminaire du Nord de l'Algerie au 1/1.000.000.
Nations Unies (1972), Etude des ressources en eau duSahara septentrional.
Nations Unies (1987), Les eaux souterraines del'Afrique septentrional et occidental.
PNUD (1983), Actualisation de l'etude des ressources
en eau du septentrional.

Evaluation of the heat flow in 230 oil wells using
temperature measurement (BHT and DST) andvarious rock-porosity data, reveals an average of 82 ±19mw/m2 (D. Thakherist and A. Lesker 1988)

Takherist, D. et Lesquer A. (1989), Mise en evidence
d'importantes variations regionales du flux de chaleur
en Algerie. Can. J. Earth Sci. 26. 615- 626

MAROC

TUNISIE

Fig. 2 Temperatures of the main hot springs

5Fatima Zohra Kedaid

MAROC

TUNISIE

Fig. 3 Total dissolved solid of the main hot springs

Fig. 4 Sketch of geothermal gradient for the north part of Algeria

Fig. 5 Zones of geothermal interest

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