Coupled continuum modeling of fracture reactivation and induced seismicity during enhanced geothermal operations

We constructed a coupled model to obtain a better understanding of the role of pore pressure changes in causing fracture reactivation and seismicity during enhanced geothermal systems operation (EGS). We implemented constitutive models for fractures in a continuum approach, which is advantageous because of the ease of integration in existing...

Tectonic subsidence history and source-rock maturation in the Campos Basin, Brazil

The Campos Basin is a petroleum-productive, marginal sag basin along the Brazilian margin. It contains a stratigraphic sequence recording lithospheric extension and rift tectonics developing to a fully evolved postbreakup setting. We present a combined approach using subsidence analysis and basin history inversion models to make predictions on...

Subsurface temperature of the onshore Netherlands: new temperature dataset and modelling

Subsurface temperature is a key parameter for geothermal energy prospection in sedimentary basins. Here, we present the results of a 3D temperature modelling using a thermal-tectonic forward modelling method, calibrated with subsurface temperature measurements in the Netherlands. The first step involves the generation of a coherent dataset of...

Direct heat resource asswessment and subsurface information systems for geothermal aquifers: the Dutch perspective

Reservoir characterisation of aquifers for direct heat production: methodology and screening of the potential reservoirs for the Netherlands

Lithosphere tectonics and thermo-mechanical properties: An integrated modelling approach for Enhanced Geothermal Systems exploration in Europe

Knowledge of temperature at drillable depth is a prerequisite in site selection for geothermal exploration and development of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Equally important, the thermo-mechanical signature of the lithosphere and crust provides critical constraints for the crustal stress field and basement temperatures where borehole...

Probabilistic tectonic heat flow modeling for basin maturation: Assessment method and applications

Tectonic modeling is often neglected in the basin modeling workflow and heat flow is most times considered a user input. Such heat flows can, therefore, result in erroneous basin modeling outcomes, resulting in false overoptimistic identification of prospective areas or failure to identify prospects. This is particularly true for areas with...

A Bayesian belief network approach for assessing the impact of exploration prospect interdependency: An application to predict gas discoveries in the Netherlands

Prospect interdependencies, if present and positively correlated, result in a higher standard deviation of the portfolio volumetric expectation curve, compared to a portfolio with independent prospects. This wider uncertainty range offers options for companies to increase the expected cumulative net present value (NPV) of the exploration...

Effects of CO2 solubility on the long-term fate of CO2 sequestered in a saline aquifer

Sequestering CO2 in aquifers is an attractive option for reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The success of CO2 sequestration during the Statoil Sleipner injection project proves that under the right conditions large volumes of CO2 can be stored in a water-bearing subsurface formation. In general, we know most of the injected CO2 will...

Modelling the hydrocarbon generation and migration in the West Netherlands Basin, the Netherlands

The hydrocarbon systems of the Mesozoic, inverted West Netherlands Basin have been analyzed using 2-D forward modelling. Three source rocks are considered in the modelling: Lower Jurassic oil-prone shales, Westphalian gas-prone coal deposits, and Lower Namurian oil-prone shales. The Lower Namurian hydrocarbon system of the basin is discussed for...