30th January 2007

ENGINE COORDINATION ACTION

Mid Term Conference

Minutes

WP3/WP6Meetings (Chaired by A. Manzella / T. Kohl)

Date and Time:

January 10, 2007 – 9.00 / 10.30 am (WP3 Meeting) January 12, 2007 – 14.30 / 16.00 am (WP3/WP6 Meeting)

Location:

GFZ Potsdam, Germany

Participants:

Workpackage leaders : Adele Manzella (manzella@igg.cnr.it), Thomas Kohl (kohl@geowatt.ch)

Partners : WP3 and WP6 Partners (BRGM, GFZ, ISOR, IGG, ELTE, IGGL, VUA-TNO, PGI, GEOWATT) and external contributors (RWTH, IGeM)

Absent: CNRS, GGA, GEIE, MeSy, CRES, GEMRC

WP3 Meetings

A Review of the First Year of Activity

After formalities, a review of the Organization of WP3 in 2006 and a compilation of received material was shown to the partners (Figure 1).

As can be seen in Figure 1, the “ Presentations of partners in electronic format “ and “ Bibliography “ have been later requested directly by the main coordination and WP2. Both the “Tables listing the partner expertise” and the “Review Institutions” remained uncompleted since not all the partners sent the requested information. “Methodological Review papers” were not written, but prepared in the

form of presentations to the Mid-Term Conference, as requested by the WP3 leader. They are available on the Engine webpage.

“Geographical Review Papers” were not prepared.

• Presentations of partners in electronic formats� (later directly requested from main coordination and WP2)

• Bibliography� (later directly requested from main coordination and WP2)

• Tables listing partners expertise� (only partly received). � Table completed with received contribution was circulated on May 2006

• Review Institutions (activities, laboratories, geothermal projects):� received from BRGM, IGG, ELTE, MeSy, CRES, GEMRC, Geowatt ,+

IGeM and RWTH. Material received from CNRS. Less than an half.

• Methodological Review papers to present at the Conference� (evolved to simple presentations for the moment)

• Geographical area review papers � (stopped)

Fig. 1. List of documents requested by the WP3 leader, and how they developed.

A brief review of Workshop 1, the first Workshop organized in the framework of Workpackage 3, was also presented.

Workshop 1 of the ENGINE project ” Defining, exploring, imaging and assessing reservoirs for potential heat

exchange”was hosted from 6 - 8 November 2006 at GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam.

68 participants coming from 13 countries attended the workshop. 51 ENGINE representatives from 14 partner organisations (more than one third

of the overall partners) were sent to present and debate with numerous external participants from 13 different organisations mostly from industry. The goal of the workshop was to discuss all parameters that should be known before drilling for exploitation of potential geothermal reservoirs.

From WP3-WP6:

BRGM, GFZ, ISOR, TNO, IGG, ELTE, CNRS, GGA, GEIE, IGGL, MeSy, VUA, CRES, PGI, GEMRC, Geowatt, + IGeM and RWTH.

Fig. 2. Participation to Workshop 1. In red the participants who did not provide material.

During the Mid-Term Conference, a review of the main conclusions achieved during the Workshop has been presented by the WP3 leader. A copy of the slides is provided in Annex 1.

Since few participants were present in the first meeting on January 10, the Presentation of the status of activities of each partner did not take place. However, participants defined together what were the topics they were mostly involved in, among the topics related to WP3. The result is shown in Fig.3.

� 3.1 Recent progress concerning the European lithosphere• VUA (3, Lead), PGI (3, ?), ELTE (3), IGGL(4), GfZ(4), GEMRC(6)

� 3.2 Mechanical behaviour of the upper crust• MeSy (2, Lead), GfZ(4), ELTE(3), VUA(3)

� 3.3 Exploring different types of geothermal reservoir• GEMRC(6, Lead), GfZ(4), ELTE(3), VUA(3)

• 3.3.1 High-energy geothermal fields + 3.3.3• IGG (6, Lead), ISOR(1), BRGM(4), CRES(3)

• 3.3.2 High-temperature / low-permeability reservoirs• GfZ (4, Lead), IGG(6), GEIE(1), GEMRC(6),

• 3.3.3 New deep, and possibly supercritical, geothermal reservoirs• ISOR(1 , Lead), IGG (6)

• 3.3.4 Multipurpose geothermal reservoirs (Heat, Power, Cooling)• PGI (3, Lead), CRES(3), ELTE(3), GGA(1), MeSy(2)

� 3.4 Technological challenge of the investigation phase• IGG (6, Lead), GfZ(4), BRGM(4), GEMRC(6), GEOWATT(0),

• 3.4.1 Improved exploration methods • IGG (6, Lead), GfZ(4), BRGM(4), CNRS(3)

• 3.4.2 Combined imaging methods for potential heat exchanger• GfZ (4, Lead), IGG(6),BRGM(4),ISOR(1),

• 3.4.3 3D modelling and imaging of permeable systems • Geowatt (0), GfZ(4), BRGM(4)

Fig. 3. Activities in framework of WP3, with related participants and total person/month (in

brackets).

Organization of the Second Year of Activity

Organization of WP3 activities on 2007, including the Organization of Workshop 2,

was discussed during the second meeting, on January 12.

It was defined that this year will be dedicated to the preparation of review articles and meta-data-base, which are due by the end of the year.

During the meeting a main responsible was defined for each deliverable.

Regarding the construction of inventories, the WP3 leaders will soon indicate a suitable software to use. The inventories will contain data coming from the partners, organized by the main responsible. The material that has been provided will be made available on the webpage, in the shared space provided by WP2. Detailed

information and instructions will be sent soon and presented during the Workshop in Volterra.

It was decided to combine two of the foreseen review articles, since they can be managed together. In particular, the foreseen “Knowledge of the European lithosphere” and “Mechanical behavior of the upper crust” will form one review articles.

Another change with respect to the foreseen list of deliverables is the preparation of the inventory of geothermal exploration facilities among the Engine partners, to be compiled with the material collected both as “Table of expertise”, and as “Review Institutions”.

The list of deliverables, as discussed during the Meeting, with related main responsible follows.

Deliverables:

1. Proceedings of the Launching conference, Session 3. DONE

2. Proceedings of the Mid term conference, Session 3. DONE

3. Proceedings of the Final conference, Session 3. Contributions from ALL

4. Guide to Workshop 1 "Defining, …, reservoirs for potential heat exchange" DONE by GFZ and IGG

5. Guide to the Workshop 2 "Exploring Supercritical reservoirs: …" IGG, Geowatt, ISOR

6. A review article about Mechanical behaviour of the upper crust and knowledge on European lithosphere / exploration of EGS VUA, ELTE

7. A review article about Exploring different types of geothermal reservoir GFZ, BRGM, CNRS

8. A review article about Technological challenge of the investigation phase IGG

9. An inventory of database, maps and models on heat in the upper crust PGI, GEMRC Contributions from ALL

10. An inventory of geothermal exploration facilities among Engine partners/collaborators IGG in collaboration with WP2 Contributions from ALL

11. Reports of study and analysis Contributions from ALL

12. General scientific dissemination (multimedia programmes, articles and information brochures, to be decided according to the results of the integration) Contributions from ALL

It was decided to meet again during the Workshop 2 in Volterra, Italy. In that occasion, the main responsible of each Review Article or Inventory will provide a definite title of the deliverable, a list of participants, and the main structure of the deliverable. The review articles will have a length of 10-20 pages, and a

structure that will be easily made ready for publication on a main international Journal.

The publication policy has been discussed, both for the deliverables of WP3 and WP6, but a more detailed policy will be defined during the next meeting.

At the end of the meeting, the draft organization of Workshop 2 has been presented. Since then, the organization has been defined in more detail. Please refer to the Engine webpage (link). The Announcement of the Workshop is attached in Annex II.

Planned Schedule

Feb.-Mar. 2007: Received material will be available on the ENGINE shared space Apr. 2007: Workshop and WP3 Meeting in Volterra. Each deliverable

responsible will provide definite title of the deliverable, a list of participants, and the main structure of the deliverable

Jun.-Jul. 2007: First Draft Sep. 2007: Revised draft Nov. 2007: Final Version of Deliverables The next WP3 meeting will take place in Volterra on April 2. It will be prepared by IGG.

WP6 (Chaired by T. Kohl)

Objectives of WP6

T. Kohl recalls the objective of WP6: "Expertise on investigation of Unconventional Geothermal Resources and EGS":

• Evaluating the most pertinent methods for resource investigation of UGR and EGS using information collected during the integration phase

• Realizing generic studies for these resources in contrasting geo-environments in Europe.

• Two chapters 1a and 1b of the Best Practice Handbook for defining innovative concepts for investigating geothermal resources (incl. generic studies)

• Contributing to the "European Reference Manual for the development of UGR and EGS

In order to perform this task, an Expert Group will be established, limited to less than 10 participants chaired by T. Kohl (GEOWATT, Switzerland). It will be composed of the leader and some members of the WP3 and will include distinguished experts among the European geothermal community.

Participants involved in WP6

The participation of the following organizations is foreseen in WP6 (Person-months in brackets): BRGM (1); GFZ (2); ISOR (1); TNO (1); IGG (2); ELTE (2); GEIE (1); VUA (2); PGI (2); GEMRC (4); GEOWATT AG (6, project leader); CICESE (2). The following responsibilities and participation for the deliverables has been decided: 1. Chapter 1a of the Best Practice Handbook on the definition of innovative concepts

for investigating geothermal energy Participants: GW (lead); IGEM; VUA; RWTH; GFZ; IGG; ISOR; TNO; GEIE

2. Chapter 1b of the Best Practice Handbook on generic studies for Unconventional Geothermal Resources and Enhanced Geothermal Systems in contrasting geo-environments in Europe Participants: GW (lead); BRGM; PGI; ELTE; IGGL; GEMRC

3. Chapter 1 of the European Reference Manual for the development of Unconventional Geothermal Resources and Enhanced Geothermal Systems

Participants: yet undecided

Planned Schedule

Feb.-Mar. 2007: Outline of activities, Definition of external experts Apr. 2007: Discussion in Volterra Jun.-Jul. 2007: Meeting (place and date to be defined in Volterra) and First Draft Sep. 2007: Presentation of Revised draft to Stakeholder Committee Dec. 2007: Finalization of the Chapters of the Best Practice Handbook Jan. 2008: Planning for Chapter 1 of the European Reference Manual

Suggestions

The following suggestions have been discussed during the meeting • Each Chapter should be of length 10-15 pages (incl. figures) • Using expertise of stakeholder committee (politician); EU commission

The next WP6 meeting will take place in Volterra on April 2. It will be prepared by GEOWATT.

Annex 1

Summary of Workshop 1

Presented by A. Manzella at the Mid Term Conference

The goal of the workshop was to discuss all parameters that should be known before drilling for exploitation of potential geothermal reservoirs. The workshop was strongly focused on debates about the definition of targets, characterization of reservoirs and optimisation of investigation methodology for EGS. To achieve this focus, four thematic sessions were defined (Signatures of temperature field for defining and exploring potential geothermal reservoirs, Signatures of fluid transport in Earth's crust, State of the Art in the exploration of potential geothermal reservoirs, Processes in geothermal reservoirs). Definition of targets, characterization of reservoirs and optimisation of investigation methodology for EGS require, among other topics, a significant improvement of the imaging and modelling of fault and fracture systems, of the knowledge of the paleostress field as well as of the heat flow and temperature distribution at depth. Following the workshop, it is stated that heat, temperature, stress and pathways as well as chemical and mineralogical composition of rocks hosting the geothermal system are besides the structural inventory of the subsurface the key elements that could be put as priority for research needs. Four main research target were defined, and the main conclusions can be summarized as follows:

• Structural Geology: imaging potential geothermal reservoirs Geothermal reservoirs are sections at drillable depths containing enough heat for geothermal utilisation. Geophysical methods are suitable to determine the architecture, geometry, and quality of target intervals. However improvement of existing methods and in particular reasonable combination of different, most sensitive techniques (passive and active seismic, MT, and others) are needed to meet the requirements of modern geophysical exploration. The interpretation of geophysical features must be supported and validated by petrophysical laboratory and borehole measurements, as well as modelling. Experiences made in hydrocarbon exploration must be modified for EGS. EGS requires usually more knowledge about fracture and fault systems with respect to their role as potential water conduits. The reservoir imaging strategy should include large scale approaches supplemented by high-resolution experiments. Further benefit should come from adapted processing techniques.

• Heat: finding heat at depth The extension of large-wavelength heat flow anomalies at depth is often inaccurate due to the improper knowledge of the causes of the heat-flow anomaly. The existence of convective and advective cells, such as those well characterized at Soultz and in the Rhine graben area, hinder a temperature extrapolation to greater depth and can lead to wrong evaluation of thermal gradients. Consequently advective cells have to be properly identified and characterized through detailed geochemical studies comprising definition of water chemistry, application of suitable geothermometric techniques (hydrochemical and gas geothermometers), mapping of CO2 fluxes from soils, etc. Maps of the heat flow distribution at surface and at the crust-mantle boundary provide far-field conditions for any definition of possible targets for EGS. However, such maps require a basic knowledge of the main lithologies and their thermal properties. In order to properly define temperature and heat distribution for an EGS database thermal conductivity and the radiogenic heat production are now feasible for better constrained modelling. Several physical parameters (density, wave velocity, electrical resistivity…), as well as chemical and mineralogical properties are coupled with temperature and can be imaged by different geological, geophysical and geochemical methods. Thus, the definition of possible targets for EGS could be improved by the use of a 3D modelling platform, in which all solutions from geological, geochemical and geophysical modelling, direct and inverse, could be combined and analysed.

• Stress: understanding and stimulating fluid circulation Evidences exist and show the influence of the stress field on hydro fracturing (ref workshop Ittingen). The knowledge of spatial stress distribution (map and depth) on a local as well as on a regional scale is thus fundamental for any future experiment. Mechanisms of rupture and propagation of an existing fault system and related displacement remain debated, especially in connection with the circulation of fluids and success rate of improving sustainable permeability. The circulation and accumulation of fluids in the crust are fundamentally controlled by the geometry of the fault and fracture systems. The ability of these systems for the channelling of fluids is directly dependant on the stress field (orientation and intensity). Favourable and unfavourable conditions exist depending of the tectonic context and geological environment. However, hydro-fracturing is not the only option to enhance the permeability of reservoir rocks. Selective dissolution should also be taken into account (as a technique to increase

effective porosity and permeability) as it could be more effective than fracturing, provided that it is applied to suitable lithological frameworks (e.g., sandstones made up of quartz and silicate minerals but also containing relevant amounts of fast-dissolving carbonate minerals) and under carefully selected conditions.

• Pathways: defining integrated conceptual models What starting conditions are necessary to develop/stimulate an EGS? What are the conditions classifying a thermally suited area for the development of an EGS? There is a need to refer to conceptual models of the main geothermal sites, from extended active geothermal sites to EGS for which heat distribution and permeability networks are available for modelling pathways for fluid circulation, gas-water-rock interaction processes (and their effects on effective porosity and permeability) and heat exchange. The cradle of such models should be the geometry of geology. They could be built by integrating the most significant datasets and their interpretation on reference key areas, like Larderello, Bouillante, Soultz, Groß Schönebeck. Such models must be updated as soon as new data or new experiences and results are available. A significant improvement of the knowledge is expected from natural analogues on which hypotheses could be tested about, for example, circulation of fluids in relation with seismicity and heterogeneity of the lithologies, thermal imprint of fluid circulation. The links with other investigation programmes such as nuclear waste storage, capture and storage of CO2 and oil and gas field development will be developed to take advantage of existing installations and experiences. Workflows encompassing fault interpretation from 3D seismics and geostatistic tools, 3D retro-deformation and fracture interpretation from well data should be further developed to give a base for possible pathway interpretation through time. Palaeostress maps may also help in distinguishing between open or closed pathways. Technological platforms could be promoted to develop new methods and tools, test hypotheses in situ or the accuracy of conceptual models. Investigation for EGS is of strategic importance for reduction of costs and increase of efficiency in the development of geothermal projects, and Workshop 1 of the ENGINE project has certainly made an important contribution.

Annex II

ENGINE

ENhanced Geothermal Innovative Network for Europe

Announcement Workshop 2 Exploring high temperature reservoirs: new challenges for geothermal energy

Volterra (Tuscany), Italy

2 - 4 April 2007 organized by CNR-IGG

Thematic sessions - Signatures of high temperature condition - Modelling and reservoir simulation of high temperature systems - Supercritical fluids: a new frontier for geothermal

Each session will be introduced by invited speaker(s), followed by poster presentations and plenty of time for discussion. Please find detailed information, online abstract submission and registration forms at http://engine.brgm.fr following the link conferences&workshops. Preliminary schedule Workshop: Monday, Apr. 2, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Apr. 3, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Gala dinner: Tuesday, Apr. 3, 8:00 p.m. Site visit Larderello: Wednesday, Apr. 4, .9.00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (optional) WP3 and WP6 meetings: Tuesday, Apr. 3, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Steering Committee Meeting Monday, Apr. 2, .5.30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Deadlines Submission of abstracts: February 16, 2007 Registration: March 2, 2007

Scientific Organization CNR-Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Adele Manzella: manzella@igg.cnr.it ISOR, Ómar Fridleifsson: gof@isor.is GEOWATT, Thomas Kohl: kohl@geowatt.ch