Evaluation of Geothermal Energy Potential of Parts of Upper Benue Trough Nigeria Using High Resolution Aeromagnetic Data

Abstract

Objective: To conduct geophysical evaluation in Yuli, Futuk, Kaltungo, Guyok, Shellen, Bashar, Muri, Lau, Dong and Numan area Upper Benue Trough, Nigeria to ascertain the region's geothermal energy potential for electricity generation. Methods: Radial average power spectrum method was employed in this research work. The residual upward continued data was divided into twentyseven (27) overlapping spectral block using the filtering feature of the Oasis montaj program. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) MAGMAP technique of oasis montaj program transformed the data into radial average power spectrum for each block. Findings: The estimated Curie point depth ranges from 10.131 to 16.461 km, the geothermal gradient ranges from 35.235 to 57.250 • C/km having a mean value of 45.214 • C/km while the heat flow ranges from 88.087 to 143.125 mW m −2 . These results shows that the research area has good potential for geothermal energy generation especially the Dong area with the highest geothermal gradient value of 57.250 • C/km. Novelty: This research has successfully employed radial average power spectrum method to depict viable zones of geothermal energy potential in Upper Benue Trough, Nigeria for electricity generation.