Zoned reservoir treatment at natural fracture zones in deep-seated carbonates for the development of a petrothermal zone in Germany

Since 1.1.2020, G.E.O.S. has been working on the BMWi-funded research project Zokrates together with its partners Ruhruniversität Bochum (coordinator), LIAGGTN, EXEX and Geothermie Neubrandenburg. The aim of the project is to investigate the feasibility of zoned stimulation of a fault zone in the 'Dolomitkluft' project. The hydraulic tests carried out showed that the transmissivity of the fault zone drilled with the GEN-1ST sidetrack reacts very strongly to pressure fluctuations. Therefore, further investigations are to be carried out in Zokrates in order to stabilise the transmissivity and thus the possible production rate in the long term.

Based on detailed evaluations of the injection and production tests carried out, G.E.O.S. has developed mechanically-hydraulically coupled models (HM models) to reflect the system properties found and to numerically investigate and optimise concepts for stabilising the production. In addition, thermo-hydraulic-chemical (THC) models are being developed to take into account the chemical interactions of the cooled thermal water with the carbonate rock.