Preliminary results of geothermal prospecting on the island of Pantelleria (Italy)

Four exploratory wells have been drilled at Pantelleria, in order to evaluate the thermal characteristics at depth and define the chemical and isotopic composition of the fluids. A bottom-hole temperature of 135°C was measured in the thermometric well PT3 at 290 m b.g.l. Heat flow was estimated to range between 500 and 700 mW/m2. Geochemical data suggest the presence of high temperatures (250°C) in the south-western part of the island at about 1500-200 m. Water stable isotopes for springs and wells indicate a mixing process between meteoric and a more or less evolved sea- water.