EGYPT PLAN FOR LAND RECLAMATION DURING THE COMING 4 YEARS

Transcription

1 EGYPT PLAN FOR LAND RECLAMATION DURING THE COMING 4 YEARS PREFACE Egypt water resources are limited to the Nile water, which is heavily utilized along the Nile Valley and within the Nile Delta. After the construction of the High Aswan Dam, the Nile water is regulated and conveyed to the fringes of the Delta. However, the gradually increased population during the past 50 years has led to decreasing the water share per capita. Therefore, Egypt water policy is being developed to augment the water supplies especially in the newly developed areas located away from the Nile. It is worth to mention that the Nile water is flowing from outside the political boundaries of Egypt. Hence, the quantity and quality of the Nile is always at risk as a function of the possible long drought periods within the African Continent, as well as, the human intervention in the natural flow regime of the Nile River. Having said that, it is decided to utilize the available groundwater resources to fulfill the urgent need for food security and job creation for the Egyptian youth. The economic utilization of the available groundwater is constrained by two major factors, which are the cost of drilling and the required energy to lift the water to the ground surface. With full consideration of these two factors along with the other strategic dimensions, the optimal locations of the developed areas were identified. LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT AREAS Egypt agriculture development plan has been identified and designed to develop a potential area of 4 million acres to be added to the existing agricultural area to meet the growing populations needs. The development of such agricultural area is planned to be into three phases. These target areas are characterized by its good soil suitability for agriculture and the existence of high potential of groundwater resources. Figure (1) shows the location map of the proposed 4 million acres. The first phase of the plan encompasses the development of approximately one million acres. About 86% of the area will be developed using shallow and deep groundwater, while the remaining area will be developed using the surface water from the annual share from the River Nile. Therefore, a great number of wells (approx. ± 4500 well) is required to provide the water demands. 1

2 Figure (1) Location map of the four million acres 2

3 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPOSED PUMPING WELLS Table (1) lists the project locations, agriculture areas, number of required wells, type of aquifer formation and depth of wells. For better understanding of the geologic formations within the project sites, Figures (2) and (3) show the well log for two different conditions. So far, the drilling program started in five areas out of the eight proposed locations. For the shallow wells with depths up to 300 meters, the drilling program is progressing satisfactorily according to the schedule. On the contrary and due to the limited number of the available deep drilling rigs, the program is remarkably behind schedule. In order to overcome the delay, about 30 deep drilling rigs (up to ±1200), 100 deep drilling rigs (up to ±1000) and 40 medium size drilling rigs (up to ±400) are required to achieve the proposed plan in one year. Therefore, we are seeking the partner's support to implement the proposed plan through the involvement in drilling the deep wells. The estimated budget for drilling the required deep wells is 0.7 billion dollars. The well distribution within each area is following a uniform pattern of equal spacing. This pattern will ease the mobilization of the drilling rigs on the semi paved roads. Figures (4) through (8) show the pattern of the well distribution located on the available topographic maps. It is worth mentioning that the temperature of the deep groundwater reaches up to 50 C with a high iron (Fe) content (up to 20 mg/l). These two extreme values set up some limitations on the choice of the type of well casing, well screen, well head valves and finally, the submersible pumps. OPERATION OF THE PUMPING WELLS USING THE SOLAR ENERGY In line with the drilling program and to ensure the sustainability of the groundwater utilization, Egypt is seeking to use the renewable solar energy to operate these wells. Considering the limitations of the solar technology and the initial high cost, it is fortune that the depth to the dynamic groundwater level varies between 10 and less than 80 meters. However, the daily pumping rate from each well varies between 1200 m 3 for the greatest dynamic water level (80 meters) and 2500 m 3 for the smallest dynamic water level (10 meters). It is appreciated if our partner provides the technology and expertise to support the implementation of solar-powered pumps. The estimated cost for the required solar powered pumps is around 0.2 billion dollars. OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE WELL FIELDS For better management of the aquifer storage, and in order to ensure the aquifer sustainability, the proposed well field will be operated through a remote access technology. Therefore, it is appreciated if our partner provides the needed technical assistant and expertise. The estimated cost for the proposed system is about 13 million dollars. 3

4 Table (1) Proposed reclaimed areas and the characteristics of the required groundwater wells. Location Agriculture Number of Type of aquifer Pressure Well depth (m) Drilling condition area (acres) wells formation (bar) Toshka Sand and gravel ± 250 Normal Static Moghra Sand and gravel ± 200 Normal Static Old Farafra Sand and gravel ± 1000 Blow out 5 New Farafra Sand and gravel ± 1000 Blow out 5 East Owinat Sand and gravel ± 400 Normal Static West-Menia Limestone- Sandstone ± 200 ± 1000 Loss of circulation Static South Qattara Limestone- Sandstone ± 1200 Loss of circulation + Blow out 15 Siwa Limestone- Sandstone ± 1200 Loss of circulation + Blow out 15 4

5 Figure (2) Typical Well Log in El Farafra Area 5

6 Figure (3) Typical Well Log in Siwa Area and Qattara Depression 6

7 Figure (4) Well distribution in Old Farafra 7

8 Figure (5) Well distribution in East Owinat 8

9 Figure (6) Well distribution in West Minea 9

10 Figure (7) Well distribution in South Qattara 10

11 Figure (8) Well distribution in Siwa 11