Abstract:
Among the distinguished zones of geothermal potential in India, the Puga Valley is
identified as one of the potential sites for tapping geothermal energy at industrial scale.
The hydrogeological properties and the temperature variations with depth have been
examined under the Geological Society of India by drilling borewells at a few locations.
The temperature distribution is one of the most essential parameters in quantifying the
energy potential of a geothermal reservoir in its life time. Such temperature distribution
has not been mapped for the Puga Valley. 2D Kriging technique is adopted in this
study to assess temperature distribution for thermal manifestation zone at various
depths and these are further used to estimate the thermal gradients at ungauged locations
of the valley. From the results obtained, it is observed that the thermal gradient
in the eastern zone of the valley is relatively higher. This indicates a possible bottom
heat source in the eastern zone of the valley. The results of this study could be helpful
in identifying the distinctive conceivable locations of injection and production wells for
the extraction of entrapped heat within the rock strata. Also, a priority order is drawn in
terms of thermal gradients at gauged and ungauged locations which may be helpful in
deciding the zones of high and low heat sources in the reservoir.