Development of deep-seated geothermal energy in the Pohang area, Korea

경북 포항지역에서의 심부 지열수자원 개발 사례

KIGAM (Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources) launched a new project to develop the low-temperature geothermal water in the area showing high geothermal anomaly, north of Pohang city, for large-scale space heating. Surface geologic and geophysical surveys including Landsat 1M image analysis, gravity, magnetic, Magnetotelluric (MT) and controlled-source audio-frequency MT (CSAMT), and self-potential (SP) methods have been conducted and the possible fracture zone was found that would serve as deeply connected geothermal water conduit. In 2004, two test wells of 1.1km and 1.5km depths have been drilled and various kinds of borehole survey including geophysical logging, pumping test, SP monitoring, core logging and sample analysis have followed. Temperature of geothermal water at the bottom of 1.5km borehole reached over $70^{\circ}C$ and the pumping test showed that the reservoir contained huge amount of geothermal water. Drilling for the production well of 2 km depth is on going. After test utilization and the feasibility study, geothermal water developed from the production well is going to be provided to nearby apartments.