2026 Webinar - Guiding Future Geothermal Development: Enablers, Innovations, and Learnings from Hot Sedimentary Aquifers

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Summary:

Hot Sedimentary Aquifers have been exploited for geothermal energy for multiple decades (e.g., Molasse Basin – Southern Germany, Paris Basin – France). In 2006, the geothermal pioneers the Netherlands, some opportunistic greenhouse owners, saw the opportunity to drill a so-called “extended water-well” into a 2 km deep hot sedimentary aquifer in the West Netherlands Basin. Their first well design was highly influenced by the standard O&G design and global supply chain. Within the first years, detrimental side-effects were experienced first-hand: e.g., aggressive brines had a greater corrosion effect on the carbon steel tubulars, and injectivity decline. This led to necessary innovations to counteract these effects: e.g., careful material selection (more expensive but corrosion resistant alloys or GRE); or brine specific inhibitors). Currently, the third generation of geothermal wells drive the standardization in well design approach, and completion and production strategies. These experiences now guide future geothermal developments.…