Prospects and geothermal potential of Mila

Abstract

That work deals a determination the geothermal potential and prospects of the Mila region. Thermal baths in Algeria are characterized by a high concentration of hot springs in the North-East of the country. At the last census, more than 282 thermal resurgences have been inventoried in northern Algeria, with temperatures varying between 30°C and 96°C. Geothermal resources in Algeria are of the low-energy type. Three geothermal zones have been delineated according to some geological and thermal considerations: the first: the Tlemcenian dolomites in northwestern part of Algeria, the second: is the carbonate formation in the northeastern part of Algeria and the third: the sandstone Albian reservoir in the Sahara in southern Algeria. Our study area is Mila, is located in the North-East of Algeria, 50km from Constantine, which is part of the Kebir Rhumel watershed, it is characterized by a rugged relief. The geothermal resources of Mila region emerge in favor of tectonic conjugate directions N-S, E-W and NW-SE. Mila region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate, subhumid in the north and semi-arid in the south. All types of geochemical facies are found: bicarbonate, sulphated and chloride from carbonate formations, gypsiferous and evaporate. Exploitation of geothermal energy remains very limited given the existing geothermal potential, crenotherapy is the main use. Except for a few cases in the south of the country