Funding
Project 1: Title: Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) of high heat generating granites: Midyan granite, Northwest of Saudi Arabia. Principle Investigator (PI): Aref Lashin Location: Saudi Arabia Fund: 0.60 Million SR (NPST) Duration: 2020-2022 This research project is supported by the National Plan for Science and Technology (NPST) - King Saud University. The intended duration of the project is two years. Abstract: Arabian shield extending from Midyan to Jizan has granitic rocks that are rich in radioactive elements. These rocks are generating high heat that no other in the world is generating. The aim of this project is to assess the heat production capacity of this high generating granite through an integrated comprehensive methodology that implies utilization of different categories of geological, geochemistry, geophysical, radiometry and simulations datasets, and to apply a lab-based thermo-mechanical- injection experiment on selected representative granite samples to evaluate the possible heat conversion and its energy production. The enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) of hot dry rocks, is a new existing technology that could be used to avail such heat to generate electric power. |
Project 2: Title: Unconventional Hydrocarbon Resources: The potential contribution of “Shale Gas” to petroleum system, Tabouk basin- Northwest of Saudi Arabia. Principle Investigator (PI): Abiodun Matthew Location: Saudi Arabia Fund: 0.60 Million SR (NPST) Duration: 2020-2022 This research project is supported by the National Plan for Science and Technology (NPST) - King Saud University. The intended duration of the project is two years. Abstract: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is one of major oil producers in the world. However, the increasing energy demands have necessitated initiating other alternative strategies for the development and exploitation of the unconventional resources. A huge accumulation of the unconventional potential source rocks (shale gas) are recorded and encountered (surface and subsurface) in many parts all over the Kingdom (Tabouk basin, Rubaii Alkhali basin, etc.). The main objective of this project is to carry out a comprehensive and detailed laboratory analysis over representative rock samples of theses shale gas resources/reservoirs. An integrated petrophysical, geochemical, geo mechanical and hydrofrac laboratory-based measurements will be conducted to characterize and evaluate the potential of these resources. The geo-mechanical properties of the shale gas and nature of the fracture systems in the basin will be measured. A detailed economic analysis of cost components to unlock these resource through hydraulic fracturing, directional drilling and other successfully applied well completion technologies in the petroleum industry, will be conducted. One of the main outputs of this promised project is to determine the potential of these unconventional resources and transfer the technologies to be implemented as a tool for the future of petroleum industry in the Kingdom.
|
Project 3: Title: Investigating the geothermal power potential of the basaltic lava fields (Harrats), Western Saudi Arabia Principle Investigator (PI): Aref Lashin Location: Saudi Arabia Fund: 0.60 Million SR (NPST) Duration: 2021-2023 This research project is supported by the National Plan for Science and Technology (NPST) - King Saud University. The intended duration of the project is two years. Abstract: The Saudi Arabian volcanic fields or what is called 'Harrats' are young Cenozoic lava that cover approximately 80,000 km2, mostly along the west coast of the KSA. They consist mainly of basaltic lava that extends along the coastal part of the Red Sea (1,400 km long and 200 km wide) in Western Saudi Arabia. These basaltic lava include 10 major fields, the most important of them are those of the Ithnayn, Khaybar and Rahat fields. In past very, few studies have dealt with these Harrats. The field observations and some previous studies have indicated a good potentiality of these geothermal targets, where geothermal fumaroles were observed in some spots of these fields. However, more research and field surveys are needed to decipher the ambiguity of these resources. This project aims to evaluate the geothermal potentiality of these geothermal reservoirs for possible energy production. |
