UNION EUROPEENNE
COMMUNAUTE ECONOMIQUE DES PAYS DES
GRANDS LACS (CEPGL)
Délégation de l’Union
Européenne à Kigali
Organisation de la CEPGL pour l’Energie des
Pays des Grands Lacs (EGL)
Call for Expression of Interest
Regional Project for Geothermal Exploration in Rwanda, Burundi and DRC
Financed by the European Development Fund (EDF) through a Financing Agreement with CEPGL
Introduction
The three member countries of the CEPGL (Communauté Économique des Pays des Grands Lacs):
Burundi (BU), Rwanda (RW) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are characterized by high
levels of poverty which have been heightened by the different conflicts that have taken place in the
region since the 1990s. The consequences have been an exacerbation of political, economic and social
problems, making their economies increasingly vulnerable and reducing their investment as well as
development capacities.
Due to political and financial constraints in the region, the access to electricity and the annual electricity
consumption per capita in the three CEPGL countries are extremely low. Therefore, all three countries
have made the development of the Energy sector a strategic priority. They have stressed their intention
to work closely together with their neighbours, making use of common resources in order to benefit
from the economic advantages of an interconnected regional electricity market.
Already in the 1970s, RW, BU and DRC formalized their cooperation in the Energy sector through the
CEPGL's Great Lakes Energy Agency (Energie des Grands Lacs - EGL), based at Bujumbura. EGL's mandate
is to foster cooperation between the three member countries in the field of energy and to contribute to
the sub-region's socio-economic development. EGL remains responsible for the coordination of studies,
design and implementation of energy projects in the Great Lakes region on behalf of the three member
countries.
In the framework of regional cooperation, the European Union is actively supporting the development of
energy sector of the Great Lakes region, with EGL being one of the implementing agencies for the
currently ongoing European Development Fund (EDF) Financing Agreement "Programme de relance de la
CEPGL". Under this programme, funding has been earmarked for studies of the geothermal resources of
the three countries, for the pursuing of which, a partnership has been established between ICEIDA and
the European Union Delegation in Rwanda.
Iceland GeoSurvey (ÍSOR) will serve as a technical consultant to the funding agencies and the EGL in this
project. The studies will be approved by the Technical Consultant in collaboration with EGL, the State
representatives of the CEPGL (BU, DRC, RW) and the European Union through a Technical Committee.
Service provider selection process
The tendering procedure follows EDF rules and regulations. Service providers from EU Member states,
official candidate countries and European Economic Area and of the ACP group (signatories of the
Cotonou Agreement) are eligible for this project. The procurement will be based on a negotiated
procedure with 2-3 shortlisted service providers with proven ability to conduct the work (based on
experience of comparable projects, financial capacity and number of personnel in the relevant fields).
The work of subcontractors may not exceed 30% of the overall value of the contract, but interested
service providers may form a consortium, in which case they have to provide a formal declaration.
Contract type
The work of the service provider will be carried out under a global price contract, under which the
services are performed for an all-inclusive fixed price as defined by specific deliverables. Deliverables will
include:
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Reconnaissance studies of two geothermal areas in DRC and recommendations for further
exploration in one of the sites
Results and interpretation of individual surface exploration studies (in BU, DRC and RW)
Joint interpretation of the surface exploration studies, conceptual model and proposed site for
deep exploration well
Deep exploration well design
Deep exploration well(s) drilled, logged and tested
Update of conceptual model, preliminary resource assessment and suggestions for potential
power conversion and/or direct use options.
Technical description:
Sites to be investigated
The geothermal areas to be investigated are located near the joint border between Burundi, Rwanda and
the DRC. The sites to be investigated in Burundi and Rwanda have been defined, i.e. the Ruhwa site in
Burundi, the Bugarama site in Rwanda. Two appropriate sites in the DRC have been identified; Nyangezi
and Uvira/Kinanira/Kavimvira. The exploration project will include a reconnaissance/desktop study of
these two DRC sites and a subsequent recommendation of one of the sites for further surface
exploration within the geothermal exploration project. The sites to be studied in the DRC are subject to
modification in dependence of information made available.
Geothermal manifestations in all fields indicate low temperature geothermal activity.
The Ruhwa site in Burundi is located almost at the border with Rwanda close to the border station on
road RN-5. A few hot springs are aligned on a N-S trending line. The maximum temperature is 68°C and
the total flow is about 5 L/s. Quartz geothermometry indicates a reservoir temperature of about 110°C.
The geothermal water is CO2-rich and travertine deposits have formed around the springs.
The Bugarama site in Rwanda (sometimes referred to as Mashyuza) is located in the Rubyiro valley 17 km
north of the Ruhwa site and 3 km north of the town Bugarama in Rwanda. Hot springs are located within
and around a small lagoon. Gas is emitted vigorously from the largest spring in ~5 m from the shore. The
highest recorded temperature was 54.3°C. The quartz geothermometer indicates a reservoir
temperature of ~100 °C. The estimated flow rate from the lagoon is 20 to 30 L/s.
Limited information is currently available on the two DRC sites.
Reconnaissance studies in the DRC
The service provider needs to carry out the following studies in Nyangezi and Uvira/Kinanira/Kavimvira :
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Describe the surface manifestation (location, temperature, flow, deposits, etc.)
Describe the relationship between the surface manifestations and local geology
Collect samples of geothermal solutions for chemical analysis and interpretation of the chemical
composition
Upon completion of the reconnaissance studies the service provider needs to recommend one of the
sites for more in-depth exploration, based on the results of the reconnaissance studies.
Exploration studies
The service provider needs to carry out the following studies in each of the three sites:
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Soil temperature measurements around the geothermal springs
Soil diffuse CO2 degassing survey
Characterization of thermal waters for the purpose of geothermometry (including mixing
models)
Detailed structural mapping to define strike, dip and relative movement of faults and fractures,
indicating how they may be connected to the surface manifestations
TEM resistivity survey for mapping resistivity anomalies at shallow depths (up to 800 m depth).
Ground magnetic measurements
Temperature gradient survey involving drilling of shallow (100 – 300 m) wells
Estimate local environmental impact for drilling of an exploration well.
The service provider will interpret the results of the different studies and propose a site and well design
for drilling of a 1400 to 1800 m deep exploration well in each of the three fields based on the results.
Exploration drilling
The service provider will also carry out the drilling of at least one up to 1400 to 1800 m deep exploration
well within this project. An option of a second well should be offered.
The most feasible site for drilling will be chosen based on the results of the surface exploration studies.
The well will be of slim design (<6 inch at depth) and designed for low to intermediate temperature
(most likely 100 – 180 °C).
Capacity building
As a part of the contract the service provider might be asked to provide for training of government staff
in the respective countries (geologists, chemists, geophysicists, and engineers) in surface exploration and
exploration drilling. Additionally and subject to time and budget constraints, for a better understanding
of the study results by the country counterparts the service provider may design and conduct or
supervise on site and/or overseas trainings for specific expertise areas.
Information needed from interested parties
a. Statement of agreement between consortium partners, if applicable
b. Company profile/s (including number of personnel in the relevant fields)
c. Company references in similar projects (at least two similar projects, involving geothermal
surface exploration and/or drilling, carried out over the last five years)
d. Short CV for key personnel
e. Company financial statement (audited by certified accountants), including financial position,
comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flow. The average combined annual turnover
must be at least the average of 3M EUR annually over the last 3 years)
f. Information on available and appropriate drilling equipment for both shallow thermal gradient
wells and deep exploration drilling.
Contact information and due date
Expressions of interest and the associated documentation must be delivered by March 22, 2013 to ÍSOR
and to EGL by mail or email. The corresponding persons are:
Claude Kayitenkore (EGL Energy Director)
Immeuble EGL, Boulevard de l’Uprona, BP 1912 Bujumbura - Burundi
Email : [email protected]
Phone : +257 79341407 / + 250 788305479
Bjarni Richter (Marketing and Project Manager)
ÍSOR - Grensásvegi 9, 108 Reykjavík, Iceland
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +354 5281526 / Cell: +354 8969336