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Heat production and storage in Western Switzerland: advances and challenges of intense multidisciplinary geothermal exploration activities, an 8 years progress report

Presented at Reykjavik (Iceland), April 26 – May 2, 2020
Publication date2020
Abstract

A wide range of regional-and reservoir scale subsurface evaluation activities of geothermal energy resources and underground thermal energy storage potential have been carried in the Canton of Geneva area located in the Westernmost Swiss Molasse Basin. These activities promoted since 2012 through the ‘GEothermie2020' program by the Canton authorities and SIG (Service Industriel de Genève), include both technical, regulatory and social acceptance aspects and it is aimed at implementing a nuclear-free 2050 energy strategy increasing the penetration of renewable energy sources into the energy system, and by reducing the energy consumption and the use of fossil fuels. A large data set of 2D seismic lines mostly acquired for hydrocarbon exploration carried out in the 70s and 80s, have been collected and in part re-processed. To this, additional new 2D seismic and new walk-around and walk-above VSP were acquired in selected wells in order to establish a better controls on velocity model and reservoir heterogeneity and thus set the basis for future 3D seismic acquisition. Newly-acquired gravity data, calibrated with the available deep boreholes have been integrated in a single data base which served as basis for establishing a sound subsurface stratigraphic model. The latter spans from the Permo-Carboniferous to the Cenozoic age, including potential geothermal reservoirs throughout the stratigraphic succession. The mapping of fault system and geochemical analysis of associated mineralisation has been carried out to identify deeply rooted lineaments which may connect the crystalline basement to shallower formations and thus be important conduits of geothermal fluids. Over the 8 years of exploratory study aimed at 1) identifying and assessing the geothermal play elements 2) identifying a number of most suitable subsurface targets for both heat direct-use and storage, using a play fairway analysis approach and 3) supporting further evaluation and risk assessment (including the possible undesired occurrence of hydrocarbons and induced seismic). The encouraging results of the first shallow exploration well confirm the preliminary positive evaluation of the geothermal potential of the region. However, subsurface uncertainties related to structural and stratigraphic compartmentalization and the variability of reservoir properties remain large and will be targeted by further data acquisition such as downhole geophysics, extended dynamic tests, and 3D seismic survey. These data, together with knowledge transfer from the more mature HC industry will provide the geothermal players with the necessary best practice, knowledge and workflows to accomplish successfully the exploratory of geothermal resources.

Keywords
  • Geneva Basin
  • Exploration
  • Reservoir characterization
  • Direct use
  • Hesat production
  • District heating
Citation (ISO format)
MOSCARIELLO, Andrea et al. Heat production and storage in Western Switzerland: advances and challenges of intense multidisciplinary geothermal exploration activities, an 8 years progress report. In: Proceedings World Geothermal Congress. Reykjavik (Iceland). [s.l.] : [s.n.], 2020. p. 12.
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Proceedings chapter (Accepted version)
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  • PID : unige:127903
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