Virtual: PGK and SPE joint lecture

Speakers from EBN and TNO will talk about advancements in geothermal domain. Use this link to join the Microsoft Teams meeting.

Program:

• 16:00 Teams Meeting begins
• 16:20 Announcements by PGK and SPE NL
• 16:30 Presentation by Henk van Lochem (EBN): ‘SCAN geothermal exploration campaign: results and outlook’
• 17:00 Presentation by Jan-Diederik van Wees (TNO): ”Upscaling geothermal energy in the Netherlands: extending the resource base in an affordable, safe and sustainable way’
• 17:30 Close out and continue with drinks if people want
  18:00 End of event

Presentation 1: SCAN geothermal exploration campain: results and outlook

Abstract:
Geothermal energy is a resource that is sustainable and, because it is not dependent on weather or seasonal conditions, it is also reliable. It can play an important role in the Dutch Energy Transition, since 42% of our national energy demand comes in the form of heat. To accelerate the development of geothermal energy projects, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate has provided funding for the SCAN programme. The purpose of the SCAN programme is to improve the mapping of the Dutch subsurface by gathering data in the areas that are – until now – under-explored because of their lack of oil and gas potential. By sharing this data SCAN will help support future determination of geothermal potential in these areas. EBN and TNO cooperate in the execution of the SCAN programme. The SCAN programme focusses on three main activities: the acquisition of new 2D seismic, the reprocessing of vintage 2D seismic data and the drilling of a number of wells focusing on data acquisition. A large part of the seismic acquisition and processing has been completed; 24 new high-quality seismic lines have already  been made public to date. Several seismic reprocessing packages have been released that are located mainly around the center of the Netherlands. More reprocessing projects are underway resulting in an extensive improved PreSTM processed 2D digital regional data set of all SCAN areas. In our presentation we will show the status of the SCAN acquisition and reprocessing and present some examples of the results. At the end of last year SCAN received funding for the exploration drilling phase. Data acquisition wells will be drilled to improve our understanding of the potential geothermal reservoirs where vintage E&P well data is missing. Next to core data for permeability assessments of the major geothermal reservoir units, data acquisition will also include a comprehensive suite of modern well logs, production/injection tests and other reservoir and seal data such as leak-off tests, check shots/VSPs and geomechanical measurements on core samples. In line with the state subsidy regulations the wells will be plugged and abandoned after the data acquisition programme has been completed. Recently SCAN announced that the first data acquisition well will be located to the east of the city of Utrecht. In our presentation we will show the geological reasoning behind the selection of this location. For the selection of future SCAN data acquisition wells we have invited the geothermal community to indicate areas and geological formations where additional subsurface data could accelerate the future development of commercial geothermal projects.

About the presenter:
Henk van Lochem studied Geology at Utrecht University (Structural Geology with minor subjects Exploration Geophysics and Economic Geology).
In 1987, he co-founded Argo Geological Consultants and worked as consultant for various clients, especially frequent for Wintershall Noordzee, on exploration and development projects on the North Sea. Last project for Wintershall was related to the exploration, appraisal and development of two Chalk oil fields in the Dutch sector. Outside the North Sea area he has been consultant for exploration projects in, for example, Colombia, Poland, Bulgaria and Spain. He participated in a large number of evaluations for farm-in offers and acquisition opportunities. In 2018 he started as consultant for EBN within the SCAN geothermal project. Main tasks are the design and setting objectives for the 2D seismic survey and the selection of lines and processing QC for the 2D seismic reprocessing project. Made prospectivity analysis and identified geothermal leads within the SCAN areas for new “scientific” wells.

Presentation 2: Upscaling geothermal energy in the Netherlands: extending the resource base in an affordable, safe and sustainable way

Abstract:
Geothermal development in sedimentary basin areas, previously targeted by oil and gas exploration, can benefit largely from putting subsurface information and models in a geothermal context. In the Netherlands, public access to relevant subsurface data from oil and gas exploration and production has facilitated growth of low enthalpy geothermal projects for direct heat applications in the past two decades. Transparent resource and performance assessment methodology has considerably helped to identify prospective (highly permeable) geothermal resources and to assess the amount of potential geothermal energy.  The workflow has been applied extensively for the Netherlands and results are publicly accessible through the web-based portal ThermoGIS (www.thermogis.nl). However prospective areas are largely limited to reservoirs  marked by high data density from past hydrocarbon E&P,  and good flow characteristics. Upscaling of geothermal resources, requires unlocking of a larger resource base.  Apart from exploration of “white spot areas” (i.e. areas marked by low data density),  extension of the resource base is envisaged from exploring both more shallow, as well as deeper resources, and the enhanced performance of (marginal) reservoirs by smart well and engineering designs. Furthermore optimization of integration of geothermal sources in heat networks, and pre-drill risk mitigation by play based portfolio approaches can significantly enhance geothermal potential.  Technical concepts, predictive  models and monitoring solutions need to be tested and validated by lab facilities from core to field scale in  order to robustly augment to more affordable, safe and sustainable geothermal energy production. To this end, The recently established Rijswijk Centre for Sustainable Geo Energy plays a key role in geothermal innovation ecosystems.
Presentation will be about “SCAN” and “WarmingUP/RESULT” projects.

About the presenter:
Jan-Diederik van Wees (PhD Vrije Universteit, Amsterdam 1994) is principal scientist Applied Geosciences at TNO and professor Geothermal Exploration at Utrecht University. He is recognized international expert in geothermal energy, with ca 100 peer-reviewed papers in leading international journals on tectonics, reservoir engineering, induced seismicity, resource assessment, and techno-economic models. Under his leadership, TNO has developed thermoGIS, predictive models for geothermal exploration and performance assessment methodologies. He plays a leading role in various EU and national funded research projects on upscaling geothermal energy, including RESULT and warmingUP.