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Some experiences in tapping deep thermal waters of the Triassic karstic aquifer in the Pannonian Basin of Serbia

2015; Akadémiai Kiadó; Volume: 58; Issue: 1-2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1556/24.58.2015.1-2.3

1789-3348

Zoran Stevanović, Ivan Dulić, Milena Dunčić,

Geological Formations and Processes Exploration

The Triassic karstic aquifer is the system with the greatest potential for the utilization of thermal waters in Serbia. As an integral part of the Dinaric tectonic unit, the Triassic aquifer extends widely over the western part of the Serbian territory and is characterized by cold waters. In contrast, the same but confined type of aquifer overlain by thick Tertiary sediments in the Pannonian Basin has significant geothermal potential. The major potential for tapping geothermal flow is in the southern and southwestern parts of the Pannonian Basin (Srem) and in the adjacent areas of Mačva and Semberija in the Sava tectonic graben. In these areas the Triassic karstic aquifer has been tapped by several boreholes with depths ranging from 400 m to 2400 m. The temperature of the hottest water exceeds 75 °C, while maximal discharge is 40 l/s. Although the prospect of wider utilization of geothermal energy undoubtedly exists, some Serbian national plans count on a limited contribution of geothermal energy in renewable energy sources of only 4%. This is probably due to the low level of current utilization, and the inefficient use of even some highly productive wells with a high water temperature, such as those drilled in the most prosperous Mačva region.