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

As part of the Australian Geothermal Association's webinar series, Dr Han Claringbould from Sproule ERCE took a look at real-world field challenges encountered with hot sedimentary aquifers, and the steps taken to overcome and learn from these issues.

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 standardisation in well design approach, and completion and production strategies.

These experiences now guide future geothermal developments. Adaption based on learnings (i.e., data-driven decision-making), and identification and exploitation of process efficiencies: a holistic view on risk mitigation will improve the chances of future project success.

Presenter:

Han Claringbould is Team Lead, Geothermal Advisory at Sproule ERCE. He has expert understanding of low-medium enthalpy geothermal systems, geo-hazard management, and upper-crustal geology. Han brings over a decade of experience in upper-crustal structural and stratigraphic analyses within geothermal and conventional E&P settings. In his current role as Team Lead, Geothermal Advisory, Han provides clients with tailored strategic and technical advice along the full lifecycle of geothermal assets.

As an experienced Project Manager, Han has led multiple large-scale international technical advisory projects spanning geothermal feasibility and concept analysis, techno-economic assessments of conventional and EGS developments, and numerous technical due diligence of NextGen geothermal technology projects or conventional geothermal green- and brownfield projects. Prior to Sproule ERCE, Han has gained over a decade of experience in exploration and upper-crustal stress and strain development analyses from E&P companies and leading research institutions globally.

AGA Members have access to a recording of the presentation and the slide deck in the section below.