A Short Review on The Application of Potential Field Methods for Geothermal Energy Exploration

Abstract

There is quite a long history in Nigeria of Geothermal energy exploration. Geothermal energy resources are available in every part of Nigeria beneath the subsurface. The resources, however, vary in concentration in all the geological parts of the country. This paper reviewed the prospects of geothermal energy exploration by using the potential field (magnetic and gravity) technique for the exploration activities. The potential field data is capable to provide information on the subsurface structures after some filtering techniques (in case of magnetic) or data corrections (in case of gravity) have been applied to the raw field data. The processed data is capable to scan the lateral and vertical extent of anomalous zones beneath the surface. Geothermal energy, if properly exploited would contribute to the generation of clean energy in Nigeria for domestic and industrial purpose.