During the STSM stay, I developed a comprehensive map of OFG sites, desalination plants along the coast of member countries, water stress, OFG predictions, offshore platforms, bathymetry, and seafloor properties. In addition, I analyzed and sorted the different OFG sites for their feasibility to extract and process OFG. We deviated from the original work plan and did not include the potential for green energy. Instead, we focused on providing more details about the seafloor (composition and profiles) after learning during our visit to the desalination plant in Ghar Lapsi that the piping represents one of the major costs and engineering difficulties, which is, again, dependent on the seafloor. We sorted the sites with high feasibility into three tiers:
- Tier 1: OFG with a short distance to desalination plants/shoreline, existing desalination plants, water stress areas, and existing offshore platforms.
- Tier 2: OFG with a short distance to desalination plants/shoreline, existing desalination plants, and water stress areas.
- Tier 3: OFG with a short distance to the shoreline and water stress areas.
Furthermore, I was able to identify different areas with high potential for OFG and feasible extraction along the above-classified features, making them suitable for OFG exploration. Additionally, I had the chance to advance my scientific network by meeting the other group members, different professors, researchers and PhD students of the University of Malta.
The STMS fully achieved its goals. The database/map for analyzing feasible OFG locations was created, and feasible OFG locations were identified. The project also enhanced the understanding of the important factors for feasibility. This led to a slight change from the original plan of the STSM, shifting the focus from analyzing the potential for green energy to seafloor properties. In addition to identifying six viable OFG locations clustered in different tiers, the project was also able to identify areas suitable for further OFG exploration in COST-Member Countries.