First EAGE Workshop on Geothermal Energy and Hydro Power in Africa

This paper discusses the importance of a socially inclusive responsive energy policy to enhance energy access, especially for those with limited incomes and education. We are therefore proposing a framework that can be used by policy makers to pursue a socially inclusive energy policy. The proposed framework is used to assess existing energy policies for Kenya and Rwanda. The paper finally recommends the need for designing and implementing socially inclusive energy policies that are effective in enhancing energy access. Social inclusion and energy access in Africa are interconnected issues that are necessary for sustainable development.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has bold plans to diversify its energy mix, as spelled out in the Saudi 2030 vision. One of the energy diversification targets is geothermal energy, particularly in context of low to medium enthalpy energy for space heating/cooling, and water desalination applications. Areas with low-to-medium enthalpy geothermal potential in the Kingdom are stretched along the western Arabian peninsula, a region considered to have higher geothermal gradient than the eastern side. In the early stage of a geothermal exploration study, subsurface data are essential for a first-order analysis of the thermal potential of the basin. Due to limited availability of subsurface data, especially seismic data and well data, we utilize open satellite gravity data in the Ifal Basin, one of the promising areas located in north-west Saudi Arabia and site for one of the Kingdom’s giga-projects, NEOM. We estimate temperature profiles based on gravity modelling informed by published stratigraphic data. The results indicate a geothermal gradient of 30oC/km to 35oC/km in the Ifal Basin. The temperature may reach 100oC at the basement high, and more than 200oC at the basin depocentre.

This paper demonstrates; standard geological and geophysical workflows for oil and gas prospecting can be applied in closed loop geothermal settings for the determination of geothermal gradient, rock characterization and for field scale validation of thermal conductivity.

We applied the random forest method to classify the stratigraphic position of strata derived from 19 wells located within the area of the Southern Franconian Alb and the northern part of the South German Molasse Basin. Drillings comprised Quaternary to Triassic strata within a depth between 200 and 1300 m. Geophysical parameters included gammaray, temperature, density, as well as resistivity and conductivity logs and petrographic description.

We measured and evaluated carbon and oxygen isotopic values of bulk rock samples of the Moosburg drilling core. The data suggest that strata of Oxfordian, Kimmeridgian and Tithonian age can be distinguished according to their carbon and oxygen isotopic values. Dolomites from Kimmeridgian strata and Tithonian strata show significant differences in their oxygen isotopic values, too.

Kenya is targeting to be a mid-income economy by 2030. It is forecasted that the energy demand of the country will increase from the current installed capacity of 2371 MW to 21,620 MW by 2030. Geothermal energy is expected to increase from the current installed capacity of 676.8 MW to 5500 MW. For the above countrywide objective to be met, it is paramount to come up with ways of improving drilling rig efficiency, drilling performance, reducing invisible non-production time, reducing the drilling cost and reducing the risk of drilling operations.

Recent developments in production processes and their automation have led to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, commonly known as “Industry 4.0”. “Industry 4.0” has been identified as a way of reducing the safety risk while speeding up the whole drilling process and hence increasing efficiency, reducing cost and increasing productivity in the drilling industry. Therefore, this paper systematically introduces the concept and core technologies of “Industry 4.0”. Moreover, this paper analyzes typical application scenarios of industry 4.0 in geothermal drilling. This paper aims at letting personnel in the geothermal drilling industry understand the benefits and application of Industry 4.0.

Three decades after the concept of ubiquitous computing was introduced by Mark Weiser, we are witnessing an ongoing transformation in manufacturing and Industrial practice combined with the latest smart technology. The fourth Industrial revolution as described in Prof Klaus Schwab this era will combine hardware, software and biology (cyber-physical systems) and emphasizes that advancement in communication and connectivity will be facilitated by breakthroughs in emerging technologies in fields such as, robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, quantum computing, biotechnology, Internet of things, decentralized consensus, fifth generation wireless technology (5G), 3D printing and fully autonomous vehicles.

This Abstract illustrates how three technologies related to the fourth industrial revolution namely, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and industrial internet of things will transform future energy and utilities management architectures.