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Ralf Oppermann of Optimal Resource Solutions presented this discussion on fault extraction from seismic data on 18 April as a part of the AGA webinar series. Members can access a copy of the presentation via the link below. Geothermal energy has the potential to play a very important role in the sustainable global energy mix. There are, however, several technical and economic challenges that need to be overcome to de-risk geothermal development and production and to help accelerate commercial uptake (Drumm et al. 2021). Two of the key technical challenges for most types of deeper geothermal development are ensuring that sufficient and continuous flow of fluid is encountered (flow assurance) and that geothermal operations don’t trigger earthquakes (induced seismicity risk mitigation). Both of these key challenges can actually be addressed with the latest game-changing advancements in the reliable recognition of smaller-scale fault networks in seismic data, which will be presented in this talk. Hi-Res Automated Fault Extraction (HR-AFE) allows to very reliably visualize fault networks in 2D or 3D seismic data and directly relate these to drilling and production issues, allowing to create opportunities to significantly reduce drilling and stimulation/fracking costs and also increase production from subsurface assets (oil & gas, minerals, water, heat; Oppermann 2012a+b). Fluid flow rates and reservoir temperatures determine the power output of a geothermal resource. Understanding the matrix and/or fracture permeability is key to modelling the reservoir response and production sustainability (Drumm et al. 2021). In both Hot Dry Rock (HDR) and Engineered Geothermal Systems (EGS), where fluids are circulated through a stimulated fracture system, knowledge about pre-existing fault and fracture networks is key for the full understanding and meaningful modelling of flow and it is also key for project planning and placement/targeting of injector and producer wells. High-res Fault Extraction should be the standard addition to HDR and EGS workflows as it very reliably delineates interconnected fault networks in the subsurface and allows to target these for flow assurance (injector-producer pathways). It also allows to avoid faults if they could cause drilling problems or earthquakes (induced seismicity risk mitigation). Induced seismicity has been a key risk that has been established following earthquake links to previous geothermal developments. A magnitude 3.4 earthquake in Switzerland in 2006 damaged buildings and led to the geothermal plant’s closure, and a magnitude 5.5 earthquake in South Korea in 2017 injured 90 people and caused $52 million in damages. The Talk will show examples of the successful application of HR-AFE to Oil & Gas, Mining and Geothermal assets around the globe. Case Studies will include conventional & unconventional Oil & Gas reservoirs, a Geothermal project in Western Australia (Ballesteros et al. 2012), and Basement/hard rock studies where faults were delineated at high resolution in e.g. Granites (Yemen) and magmatic and metamorphic rocks (Vietnam, Finland). High-resolution fault visualization and evaluation can reduce the uncertainty in the success of Geothermal projects as it is instrumental in addressing the typical challenges for deep geothermal developments. It is proposed as a best-practise technique for Geothermal Companies to implement as it delivers -        reduced drilling & stimulation/fracking risks and costs -        increased reservoir performance/flow -        reduced induced seismicity risks References Ballesteros, M., Oppermann, R., Meyer, G., McDairimid, J. & Larking, A., 2012.  Targeting fracture permeability for geothermal developments in the North Perth Basin. Proceedings of the 2012 Australian Geothermal Energy Conference, 14-16 November 2012, Sydney/Australia. Drumm, E., Bolton, R., Hardman, J. & MacInnes, E., 2021. Technical challenges in geothermal development and production. 2nd Geoscience and Engineering in Energy Transition Conference, GET 2021. EAGE. Oppermann, R., 2012a. Finding sweet spots through Seismic Fracture Extraction – Unconventional Case Studies from around the world. Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference & Exhibition (APOGCE), 22-24 October 2012, SPE 158786. Oppermann, R., 2012b.  New method for seismic identification of fluid conduits or barriers challenges several industry paradigms.  AAPG/SPE/SEG Hedberg Research Conference, Fundamental Controls on Flow in Carbonates, 8-13 July 2012, France. Biography Ralf Oppermann is a Geoscientist and Technical Advisor with 34 years of experience, obtained working for Shell and Chevron and multiple other Oil & Gas, Mining and Geothermal companies. In 2008, Ralf founded OPPtimal Resource Solutions (‘OPPtimal’) as a technology service company, to provide new and leading-edge resource characterization solutions to companies active in Oil & Gas, Shale Gas, Coal Seam Gas, Mining, Geothermal, Groundwater, CO2 Sequestration and Underground Storage. OPPtimal has developed a Game-Changing and AAPG-awarded technology method to very reliably identify smaller-scale faults from 2D or 3D seismic data and directly relate these to drilling and production issues. The method not only allows to identify and address drilling and flow issues in existing wells but also allows to plan future wells to directly target (or avoid) flow-enhancing fault zones/sweet spots and realise significant drilling and completion/fracking cost reductions and increased production from subsurface assets (oil & gas, minerals, water, heat).  For this work, Ralf received the "Innovator in Geosciences Technology" Award from the Innovation and Emerging Science/Technology Group of AAPG. In 2015, Ralf co-founded the Resource Technology Network (RTN), a unique, independent and global Consulting Network providing technical, commercial and strategic Advice, performing Projects and delivering Training and innovative Technology Services as well as Manpower Services to Upstream and Midstream Clients worldwide. RTN’s currently over 275 highly-skilled and highly-experienced Specialists and Subject Matter Experts possess a diverse cumulative experience of over 7,750 years, having worked on over 5,000 projects worldwide. Ralf holds an MSc in Geology/Palaeontology and BSc in Business & Economics from the University of Göttingen in Germany. He has authored several papers and has given numerous presentations at various conferences. Ralf is a member of several professional associations, including AAPG, AGA, EAGE, FESAus, PESA and SPE.

Earths Energy and Baker Hughes have entered a strategic partnership to evaluate the deployment of closed-loop geothermal technologies in Australia.

Dr, John Bishop presented an update on the Lemont GeoLithium project - a dual-stream opportunity in Tasmania, working to develop a geothermal power plant with extraction of lithium (and potentially other metals) from the brine prior to its reinjection.

Contact Us. Our friendly team at the Australian Geothermal Association (AGA) would love to hear from you. Send Thanks for submitting! Become a Member and join the AGA community To explore each of our membership packages and sign up please visit our Members page. Become a Member

Membership Options When applying for an AGA membership, the Applicant agrees to comply with our Code of Ethics. When renewing your membership, existing members will be deemed to have agreed to continue to comply with our Code of Ethics. ​ Prospective members need to complete a membership application , which must be approved before membership becomes official. ​ To decide which category of membership is right for you, please click here for a description of the benefits associated with each membership type. Community $ 50 50$ Every year For individuals with an interest in Geothermal Energy Get Plan Access to the AGA website Members Area Access to all AGA communications and data Professional $ 125 125$ Every year For those actively involved in the Geothermal Energy sector Get Plan Optional listing in Members Goods and Services Directory Access to all AGA communications & data Affiliated Membership International Geothermal Association Can apply for certification as a Practicing Professional Corporate $ 1,250 1,250$ Every year For companies working in the Geothermal Energy industry Get Plan Includes 5 free individual Professional Memberships Corporate logo on website Project entry in Corporate Member Showcase Nominate topics for AGA advocacy Professional (Corporate Coupon) $ 125 125$ Every year Professional membership provided via Corporate Member Get Plan Use this option with a coupon from a Corporate Member Includes all benefits of Professional Membersip In order not to burden AGA with administrative cost the membership is set to auto-renewal. Please contact us at any time if you wish to stop your membership.

Latest Events in the Geothermal Industry. Find out what's happening in the Australian and International Geothermal Energy scene. Become a Member Latest Geothermal Events Globally . Thu, 18 Apr Webinar Finding flow and mitigating induced seismicity in Geothermal projects through Hi-res Seismic Fault Extraction 18 Apr 2024, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm AWST Webinar Hi-Res Automated Fault Extraction (HR-AFE) allows to very reliably visualize fault networks in 2D or 3D seismic data and directly relate these to drilling and production issues, creating opportunities to significantly reduce drilling and stimulation/fracking costs and also increase fluid production RSVP Tue, 23 Apr Den Haag Global Geothermal Impact Summit 2024 23 Apr 2024, 9:00 am GMT+2 – 24 Apr 2024, 5:00 pm GMT+2 Den Haag, Binckhorstlaan 249, 2516 BB Den Haag, Netherlands The Global Geothermal Impact Summit 2024 takes on a mission that is critical to our planet’s future: financing geothermal energy. RSVP Mon, 20 May Houston Geothermal Transition Summit 20 May 2024, 8:00 am GMT-5 – 21 May 2024, 5:00 pm GMT-5 Houston, 6 E Greenway Plaza, Houston, TX 77046, USA NORTH AMERICA’S PREMIER MEETING POINT FOR THE STRATEGIC COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE GEOTHERMAL AND OIL AND GAS COMMUNITIES RSVP Thu, 23 May Webinar Exploration of Fault-Controlled Geothermal Systems: A Case Study in the Catalan Coastal Ranges (NE Spain) 23 May 2024, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm AWST Webinar Fracture field studies and the integration of geophysical data (MT, Gravity, and HVSR) show how localization of geothermal fluid systems is influenced by the lithology of the rock in the damage zone, but primarily enhanced by the presence of fault-related structural complexities as relay ramps. Details Tue, 25 June Frankfurt IGC Geothermal Finance & Investment Forum 25 June 2024, 8:00 am GMT+2 – 26 June 2024, 5:00 pm GMT+2 Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany After its success in recent years, IGC Invest is back in Frankfurt, Germany on 25-26 June 2024 to address financial challenges and opportunities in geothermal. RSVP Sun, 27 Oct Waikoloa Village Geothermal Rising Conference 2024 27 Oct 2024, 8:00 am GMT-10 – 30 Oct 2024, 5:00 pm GMT-10 Waikoloa Village, 69-425 Waikōloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA Mark your calendars now to save the date for the 2024 Geothermal Rising Conference. The GRC is the geothermal industry’s flagship annual conference, reflecting the global nature of the geothermal industry and bringing together people in industry, academia, government, and the general public. RSVP Mon, 01 June Calgary World Geothermal Congress 2026 01 June 2026, 8:00 am GMT-6 – 04 June 2026, 5:00 pm GMT-6 Calgary, 136 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2P 0K6, Canada The International Geothermal Association (IGA) has announced that Calgary (Canada), has been selected as the host city for the World Geothermal Congress 2026 (WGC2026). RSVP Fri, 05 Apr Webinar ECOPID: Environmentally responsible solutions for Upper Rhine geothermal 05 Apr 2024, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Webinar Join this webinar on the ECOPID Project b yKurita and ES Geothermie that is developing environmentally-friendly geothermal solutions. Details Thu, 28 Mar Webinar Tapping into geothermal energy for renewable heating 28 Mar 2024, 10:00 am – 11:00 am AWST Webinar We will take a look at the current state of the market and the technologies (including ground-source heat pumps) that can be used to put this geothermal energy to work for commercial and industrial applications. Details Thu, 21 Mar Webinar Webinar: Measuring and assessing the socio-cultural, environmental, and economic impacts of hot springs 21 Mar 2024, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Webinar Victoria University PhD Candidate Gaelle Joson will share a case study from regional Australia based on the results of her research on the socio-cultural, economic and environmental impacts of hot springs. Gaelle's PhD was sponsored by the AGA. Details Tue, 12 Mar Webinar Tackling the Challenges of Low-T Geothermal with 3D modeling 12 Mar 2024, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm GMT Webinar This webinar will discuss low-temperature geothermal energy development in Iceland and present results including data integration and visualisation, geological, and temperature modelling using Leapfrog Energy, as well as enhancement of reservoirs lifetime and recovery. Details Fri, 08 Mar Webinar Webinar – Texas Heat, Global Impact: HotRock Geothermal Research Consortium, 8 March 2024 08 Mar 2024, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Webinar Join us on the 8th of March for a webinar on the geothermal research work being done by the HotRock Geothermal Research Consortium from UT Austin, Texas. Details Thu, 29 Feb Offenburg GeoTRERM expo & congress 29 Feb 2024, 8:30 am GMT+1 – 01 Mar 2024, 5:00 pm GMT+1 Offenburg, Schutterwälder Str. 3, 77656 Offenburg, Germany The 17th edition of Europe's largest geothermal exhibition and congress will take place from 29 February - 1 March 2024. GeoTHERM takes up on the current developments in the industry and creates a stage exclusively to the topic of geothermal energy. Details Thu, 29 Feb Webinar Lemont GeoLithium, a Tasmanian geothermal power plus lithium-in-brine project 29 Feb 2024, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm AWST Webinar Lemont GeoLithium is a dual-stream project, working to develop a geothermal power plant with extraction of lithium (and potentially other metals) from the brine prior to its reinjection. Dr, John Bishop will present an update on this exciting project. Details Fri, 23 Feb Webinar Results & lessons from Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility 23 Feb 2024, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm GMT+1 Webinar Join this free webinar on the current status of the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility and the work being done in East Africa. Details Fri, 09 Feb Webinar Focus on Geothermal: Injection of Non-Condensable Gases 09 Feb 2024, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm GMT+1 Webinar Ismet Yucetas, founder and CEO of Middle East Air Drilling Services. He will share details about Injection of Non-Condensable Gases in Geothermal Reservoirs in a pilot project in Turkey. Details Thu, 08 Feb Webinar Webinar: Case Studies of Geothermal Exploration and Well Testing 08 Feb 2024, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm AWST Webinar Martin Pujol of JRG Energy and colleagues will present case studies examining geothermal exploration methods and well testing procedures from various JRG projects around the world. Details Wed, 07 Feb Webinar Geothermal Heating & Cooling - Tech 07 Feb 2024, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm GMT-8 Webinar Brightcore Energy Geothermal Experts will discuss the latest Technology & Techniques (Tech2) in geothermal that are helping building owners and developers meet mandates, reduce operating expenses, and improve their GHG emissions. Details Load More Become a Member and join the AGA community To explore each of our membership packages and sign up please visit our Members page. Become a Member