Investigation of potential geothermal well locations in Nigeria using remote sensing and field measurement

Abstract

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy that has not been utilised as solar, wind, and biomass energy because of the cost of exploration, cost of implementation, and possible environmental concerns such as enhancing the chances of earthquakes, and tremors.The remote sensing technique and Surface Energy Balance model was proposed to determine the absorbed terrestrial radiation and other salient parameters. Forty years remote sensing dataset (1980–2019), was obtained from the MERRA-2 for three hundred and two (302) locations across Nigeria. The acquired thermal parameters were processed using known models. The heat catchment with the highest magnitude of 330.244 W/m2 are found in Nembe, Okirika, Yenagoa (Niger-Delta basin); 334.198 W/m2 in Ozubulu, Oguta, Obolo (Anambra basin); 332.877 W/m2 in Okitipupa, Atijere (Dahomey basin); 318.021 W/m2 in Eban, Mokwa (Bida basin); 318.682 W/m2 in Kumaganum, Gashua, Geidam (Chad basin); 321.050 W/m2 in Kuchi, Gwandi, Gwadabawa (Sokoto basin); 289.247 W/m2 in Gombe, Potiskum, Kafarati (Upper Benue basin); 312.964 W/m2 in Lokoja, Otukpa (Mid-Benue basin); and 338.962 W/m2 Malumfashi, Kano (Basement Complex). Likely geothermal wells were listed within the research. It is recommended that more ground measurements should be carried out in the basement complexes and sedimentary basins of Nigeria.

Keywords

• geothermal energy
• terrestrial radiation
• geothermal gradient
• analysis
• spatial