Aref Lashin

Structural and basin evolution in Miocene time, southwestern Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Seismic-facies analysis and the subsurface tectonic evolution of the Western Sub-Basin (WSB)oftheGulfofSuez,Egypt,werestudiedbyseismicreflectiondataof45seismiclines.Eight of these lines were selected to illustrate the structural framework and depositional history of the WSB supported by the composition, velocity and vertical seismic profile (VSP) logs of ten wells. The analysis of two way time (TWT) structure-contour maps and rose diagrams revealed that the MiocenestrataaredissectedbyNE-SWtrendingfaultsoftheMorganAccommodationZone(MAZ). Northofthiszone,ageneraldiptowardsthenortheastisrecognized,southofthiszone,theregional dip is towards the southwest. The complex structural framework was the main factor controlling facieschangesofthesyn-depositionalMioceneunitsalongthestudyarea.

Assessing the hydrogeochemical processes affecting groundwater pollution in arid areas using an integration of geochemical equilibrium and multivariate statistical techniques

Rapid economic expansion poses serious problems for groundwater resources in arid areas, which typically have high rates of groundwater depletion. In this study, integration of hydrochemical investigations involving chemical and statistical analyses are conducted to assess the factors controlling hydrochemistry and potential pollution in an arid region. Fifty-four groundwater samples were collected from the Dhurma aquifer in Saudi Arabia, and twenty-one physicochemical variables were examined for each sample. Spatial patterns of salinity and nitrate were mapped using fitted variograms. The nitrate spatial distribution shows that nitrate pollution is a persistent problem affecting a wide area of the aquifer. The hydrochemical investigations and cluster analysis reveal four significant clusters of groundwater zones. Five main factors were extracted, which explain >77% of the total data variance. These factors indicated that the chemical characteristics of the groundwater were influenced by rock-water interactions and anthropogenic factors. The identified clusters and factors were validated with hydrochemical investigations. The geogenic factors include the dissolution of various minerals (calcite, aragonite, gypsum, anhydrite, halite and fluorite) and ion exchange processes. The anthropogenic factors include the impact of irrigation return flows and the application of potassium, nitrate, and phosphate fertilizers. Over time, these anthropogenic factors will most likely contribute to further declines in groundwater quality.

Groundwater Characteristics and Pollution Assessment Using Integrated Hydrochemical Investigations GIS and Multivariate Geostatistical Techniques in Arid Areas

In arid areas, groundwater quality is an important concern for human life and natural ecosystems. Rapid economic development impacts greatly on limited groundwater resources. This study examines the impacts of natural and anthropogenic contaminations on groundwater quality by integrating hydrochemical investigations, GIS and multivariate geostatistical techniques. Major and trace elements in groundwater were analyzed to evaluate the shallow alluvial aquifer connected to the fractured basement aquifer in the Jazan area of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Results show that the groundwater of the aquifer inland is generally under free conditions and is declining with time, while in the coastal areas, there is a disturbance of the groundwater balance resulting in upward leakage of deep saline water and seawater intrusion. Groundwater types are varied from calcium bicarbonate to sodium chloride, reflecting meteoric water recharge to seawater influence. The pollution risk is high, since the water table is shallow and the aquifers are highly permeable. Urbanization has put stress on groundwater quality due to wastewater contamination from pit latrines and leakage from the unrehabilitated sewage system. Chemical equilibrium and saturation indices were calculated, showing that most of the water samples were under-saturated with respect to anhydrate, aragonite, calcite, dolomite, gypsum and halite mineral phases. This affects carbonate and evaporite minerals in the aquifer, causing ground subsidence and sinkholes in the coastal area. Factor and cluster analyses were used to classify and examine the processes affecting groundwater quality. The main factors impacting on the groundwater hydrochemistry were identified as: dissolution of several minerals, evaporation, human impact, mixing between geothermal and other waters as well as rainfall recharge.

Suitability of utilizing small horizontal axis wind turbines for off grid loads in eastern region of Saudi Arabia

Small wind turbines of 1–3, 5–10, and 15–20 kW rated powers are used to find out suitable and efficient turbines for power generation in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the effect of hub height on energy output and the plant capacity factor is investigated to recommend an optimal hub height to be used in the present case. To achieve the set objectives, hourly mean wind speed data measured at 20, 30, and 40 m and wind direction at 30 and 40 m during 13 September 2005 to 9 May 2010 have been utilized. The annual mean wind speed values were 5.73, 5.34, and 4.75 m/s at 40, 30, and 20 m with north-north west (NNW) prevailing wind direction. An increase of about 20.7% was estimated in wind speed measured at 40 m compared to that at 20 m. Wind turbines Fortis Passat—1.4 kW, Fortis Montana—5.8 kW, Fortis Alize—10 kW, and CF20—20 kW with annual energy and plant capacity factor of 7.015 MW h and 57.2%, 25.955 MW h and 51.08%, 42.603 MW h and 48.63%, and 54.674 MW h and 31.21% were the most efficient turbines for the chosen location, respectively. Highest percentage increase in annual energy yield was obtained for a mere change of 5 m from 15 to 20 m in hub height in the present case study. The next best annual energy yield was obtained while increasing hub height from 20 to 30 m.

Petrophysical and Electrofacies Analysis of Nullipore Reservoir, Ras Fanar Field, Gulf of Suez-Egypt

The present study deals with petrophysical analysis and electrofacies zonation of the Nullipore carbonate reservoir rocks of Ras Fanar filed, Gulf of Suez-Egypt. The wire line logs of 14 wells, the available capillary pressure data, and the special core analyses of some cored intervals, as well as the coralline algae content, were analyzed and interpreted together for reservoir evaluation and zonation. Three electro-lithofacies zones (I, II, and III) are detected. However, zone (II) is considered the most important, in terms of the high porosity (18%) and hydrocarbon saturation (80%), which it attains. The petrophysical analysis of the Nullipore reservoirs shows two lobes (A and B) of good hydrocarbon potentialities, extending along northwest-southeast direction. However, “B” lobe attains better reservoir quality than “A” lobe. Net pay cutoff values of 14% and 65% are taken for porosity and water saturation, respectively.

Analysis of well log and pressure data of the gas- bearing sand reservoirs of Kafr El-Sheikh formation: Case study from the off-shore Nile Delta-Egypt

The off-shore Nile Delta is one of the most promising areas for gas exploration and production in Egypt and the Middle East. The present study deals with evaluation of the gas-bearing sand anomalies at the off-shore Nile Delta of Egypt using the available well logging and the pressure datasets. The early to middle Pliocene sediments (Kafr El Sheikh Formation) of eleven wells scattered in the Darfeel and Port Fouad Concessions are analyzed and studied for determining the different petrophysical parameters necessary for reservoir evaluation. This study reveals the presence of three gas-bearing sand zones (anomalies-1, -2 and -3), with good hydrocarbon potential, encountered at different depth levels at the Early Pliocene sediments of Kafr El Sheikh Formation. The detailed petrophysical analysis of these zones shows that anomalies-1 and 2 attain good reservoir parameters, while anomaly-3 is not penetrated in majority of wells in the study area. However, anomaly-2 exhibits unique characteristics; in terms of the good porosity (27 to 33%), low shale volume (Vsh<10%) and high gas potentiality (42 to 93%), which it attains. The constructed petrophysical property maps of gas anomalies-1 and -2, reveal an observed diminish of gas saturation towards the eastern flank of the study area. The potential accumulations with the best reservoir cut-off parameters, are recognized in the central and western parts of Darfeel Concession. The analysis of pressure data is concerned mainly with locating the different fluid contacts and determining the pressure gradients of the gas-bearing zones. Very close pressure regimes are detected for most of the investigated gas anomalies through out the study area. Pressure gradient ranges of 0.331 to 0.345 psi/ft and 0.314 to 0.444 psi/ft are indicated for anomalies-1 and 2, respectively.

The potential contribution of geothermal energy to electricity supply in Saudi Arabia

With increase in demand for electricity at 7.5% per year, the major concern of Saudi Arabia is the amount of CO2 being emitted. The country has the potential of generating 200×106 kWh from hydrothermal sources and 120×106 terawatt hour from Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) sources. In addition to electricity generation and desalination, the country has substantial source for direct application such as space cooling and heating, a sector that consumes 80% of the electricity generated from fossil fuels. Geothermal energy can offset easily 17 million kWh of electricity that is being used for desalination. At least a part of 181,000 Gg of CO2 emitted by conventional space cooling units can also be mitigated through ground-source heat pump technology immediately. Future development of EGS sources together with the wet geothermal systems will make the country stronger in terms of oil reserves saved and increase in exports.

Feasibility study of hybrid energy system for off-grid rural electrification in southern Pakistan

The use of renewable energy is increasing all over the world. These resources provide clean energy without giving rise to pollution. Current study discussed the feasibility of providing electricity by using hybrid power system (photovoltaic/wind/diesel) to a distant hypothetical village, population of 100 households with an average of five family members per household. The study area, Nooriabad, lies in Sind, Pakistan (latitude = 25.17°N, longitude = 67.8°E and site elevation = 180 m above the mean sea level). Current study showed that the proposed hybrid system could be a viable solution for off-grid supply of electric power to remote areas in Pakistan. In the present case, a daily energy consumption of 205 kWh and a peak power demand of 47 kW were considered. The implementation of this project will result in the reduction of 69% in greenhouse gases addition in the local atmosphere of the chosen site. The photovoltaic/wind/diesel/battery hybrid system is found to be an attractive option with levelized cost of energy of 0.45

Physico-chemical characteristics of Jharkhand and West Bengal thermal springs along SONATA mega lineament, India

/kWh and with renewable energy penetration of 84%. The sensitivity analysis showed that photovoltaic/wind/diesel/battery hybrid configuration is the only feasible system under given variations of different parameters.

pH and temperature responsive redox behavior of biologically important aniline derivatives

The chemical and isotopic compositions of thermal springs located along the Son–Narmada–Tapti (SONATA) mega lineament in central India have been investigated. The issuing temperatures of the thermal waters vary from 31° to 89°C for the thermal springs and 24° to 25°C for the cold springs. These thermal springs are located on the Archean Chotanagpur Gneissic Complex (CGC) in the eastern part of peninsular India. The thermal springs are mostly alkaline in nature with pH varying from 7.5 to 9.5. Piper diagram suggests that the chemistry of the thermal waters is compatible with the granitic host rocks through which the waters circulate. Mineral saturation index suggests that the thermal waters are saturated with cristobalite and quartz at lower temperatures (less than ∼130 to 150°C), and calcite and forsterite at higher temperatures (∼160° to 250°C). The estimated reservoir temperature based on chemical geothermometers is in the range of 132°–265°C, which favours a medium enthalpy geothermal system. Oxygen isotope fractionation of Bakreswar and Tantloi thermal springs highlights a higher reservoir temperature than estimated by chemical geothermometer. Positive gravity anomalies over Bakreswar and Tantloi areas strongly suggest a basement/mantle upliftment or mafic intrusion which could account for the heat source close to the surface. However, the large negative gravity anomaly depression around the Surajkund and Katkamsandi thermal springs indicates presence of deep seated faults.