Drilling of Geothermal Wells in Meshginshahr, Iran

The word "geothermal" comes from the combination of the Greek words geo, meaning Earth and therm, in ۱۹۷۵, development of geothermal energy resurces was started by a contract among the Ministry of Energy, ENEL (Entes Nazionale per L’Energia Electrica) of Italy and TB (Tehran Berkeley) of Iran for exploration in the northwestern part. In ۱۹۸۳ the result of investigations defined Sabalan, Damavand, Khoy-Maku and Sahand regions as four prospected geothermal sites in north western Iran. From ۱۹۹۶ to ۱۹۹۹ a countrywide geothermal energy resource exploration project was carried out by Renewable Energy Organization of Iran (SUNA) and ten more potential areas were indicated additionally. Geothermal potential site selection using Geographic Information System (GIS) was carried out in Kyushu University in ۲۰۰۷. The results indicated ۸.۸% of Iran as prospected geothermal areas in ۱۸ fields. Sabalan as a first priority of geothermal potential regions was selected for detailed explorations. Since ۱۹۹۵, surface exploration and feasibility studies have been carried out and five promising areas were defined. Among those prospective areas, NW Sabalan geothermal filed was defined for detailed exploration to justify exploration drilling and to estimate the reservoir characteristics and capacity. From ۲۰۰۲ to ۲۰۰۴ three deep exploration wells were drilled for evaluation of subsurface geological conditions, geothermal reservoir assessment and response simulation. Two of the wells were successful and a maximum temperature of ۲۴۰°C at a depth of ۳۱۹۷ m was recorded.

Keywords:

Geothermal , Sabalan , Drilling , Meshginshahr , Iran