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Abstract
An integrated review of existing geological and geophysical data – partly acquired during oil and gas exploration – combined with new data provided by deep geothermal studies of selected key areas, was used for the 3D modeling and mapping of the top of the geothermal reservoir developed at a regional scale in Sicily (Central Mediterranean). The resulting 1:500,000 scale map covers the area of the whole Sicily (about 25,700 km2) and is devoted to represent the main input for both the thermal modeling and the evaluation of geothermal potential at a regional scale. As the map indicates the distribution at depth of a likely target for geothermal drilling, it can be also used as a rough indicator of expected drilling cost for geothermal projects. Such a map can be seen as a useful planning tool for any geothermal project, and related exploration to be carried out in the Sicily region in the future.
Acknowledgements
The present research has been performed in the frame of the VIGOR Project, aimed at assessing the geothermal potential and exploring geothermal resources of four regions in southern Italy. VIGOR is part of the activities of the Interregional Programme ‘Renewable Energies and Energy Savings FESR 2007–2013 – Axes I Activity line 1.4 “Experimental Actions in Geothermal Energy’”. The authors acknowledge the management of VIGOR Project, and in particular Dr. Piezzo of MiSE-DGENRE (Directorate General for Nuclear Energy, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency of the Ministry for Economic Development) and Dr. Brugnoli, Director of CNR-DTA (National Research Council of Italy, Department of Sciences of the Earth System and Environmental Technologies). We thank Roberto De Franco, Grazia Caielli and Gianluca Norini (CNR-IDPA) for providing help during seismic profiles editing.
Software
The map related data were organized, managed and processed using ESRI ArcGIS 9.2 and QGIS (CitationQuantum GIS Development Team, 2012) v1.8 (compiled from source). Gravimetric data analysis was carried out using an algorithm developed in the MATLAB Environment and described in CitationFedi (1997). The three-dimensional geological modeling and mapping was carried out using ‘PETREL’ (Schlumberger). Finally, cartographic design was performed using Adobe Illustrator.
