At the first working meeting on September 26, 2024, for work package 2 (WP2), the following individuals gathered: Eduardo Barros (TNO; lead scientist), Felix Bexkens (EBN), Charlotte de Wijkerslooth (HVC), Hannes Groot (Geothermie Nederland), Jeanet Schouten (Canopus Drilling Solutions), Radboud Vorage (Greenhousepower), Ivo Vos (Vattenfall), and Esmée Waardenbrug (Gemeente Amsterdam).
Many areas in the Netherlands have less favorable geological characteristics at conventional depths (>1500m), resulting in low expected flow rates (typically less than 100 m³/h) according to standard doublet concepts. This leads to a weak business case for geothermal energy at that depth. However, advanced drilling techniques can significantly improve the business case by increasing flow rates by a factor of 3-4, as was recently demonstrated in the RESULT2 project in a case study for Zwolle.
The workflow developed in the RESULT project will be applied to four case studies (Almere, Amsterdam, Luttelgeest, & Koekoekspolder) for the Slochteren Formation, which face similar challenges. The goal is to define suitable advanced well designs for different geological settings that can significantly increase achievable flow rates and deliver a positive business case with an acceptable technical risk profile.
During the work session, further discussions focused on which geological models we want to use, which approach works best for each case, and the timeline in which we can expect results. Ultimately, this will result in a report on a portfolio of case studies for selecting well concepts, highlighting common findings relevant to the entire sector. The portfolio will be varied in terms of geographical distribution, development status of the projects, specific local challenges, and available technical solutions, utilizing different well architectures and associated technology providers.
This varied approach helps geothermal operators choose the best well configuration for optimal production during the project planning phase, ensuring optimal heat extraction from (marginal) reservoirs.
On behalf of the WP2 team,
Hannes Groot, Policy Advisor, Geothermie Nederland
