The Dinantian Carbonate Geothermal Plays in the Netherlands - “First results of a multidisciplinary play definition using HC exploration data”

Abstract

In the Netherlands, Lower Carboniferous (Dinantian) Carbonates are an exploration target for Ultra-Deep Geothermal (UDG) energy as they are locally situated at depths greater than 4 km where temperatures >130°C are reached. The SCAN Dinantian programme was launched by EBN and TNO to assess the large-scale potential of Dinantian-age carbonates for geothermal in the Netherlands, including high-temperature ultradeep geothermal (UDG). The project heavily depends on vintage seismic- and well data. With a multidisciplinary group of experts the project focuses on increasing the knowledge of 1) subsurface parameters such as presence, facies, depth, thickness, temperature and reservoir quality (porosity, permeability) and 2) operational parameters such as risks related to drilling, completion, stimulation, production and injection and seismicity. The enhanced insight will be beneficial to near future targeted geothermal exploration and development. The first results and understandings gained from seismic interpretation will be presented here and best practices will be shared. We will present a comparison of existing and new information on the distribution of Dinantian boundaries, platfom and basin facies and faults that delineate the platforms. These faults are important for the prediction and mapping of lateral facies and reservoir quality changes. As faults are often less visible in deeper seismic section, we used gravimetry and (aero)magnetics data that gives constraints on the deep structure of sedimentary basins and the underlying crust. For known sedimentary structures the gravity has been forward-modelled and compared to the measured gravity (gravity back-stripping). Comparison of the predicted and measured gravity allows to test and validate conceptual models for deep structural controls on spatial distribution of Dinantian carbonate platform areas on top of long-lived (Devonian) basement highs.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90346 ©2019 AAPG European Region, 3rd Hydrocarbon Geothermal Cross Over Technology Workshop, Geneva, Switzerland, April 9-10, 2019