| |
|
DEVELOPMENT OF THE GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE |
"Enhanced geothermal systems" |
|
EGS Pilot Plant (2004-2008)
The objective is to construct a EGS-type pilot geothermal power plant at the Soultz-sous-Forêts site in Alsace. Short-, medium- and long-term hydraulic tests have been carried out on the heat exchanger from the site's three deep wells. The aim is to provide electricity from the in situ tests. In this context, BRGM is responsible for geochemical monitoring of the produced fluids, the chemical tracing studies and the hydromechanical modelling of the hydraulic stimulation tests.
15 partners including GEIE (coordinator), and BRGM, CNRS, EDS, EDF, etc. for France . |
 |
|
1984 |
|
Initial BRGM work leading to the Soultz project |
1987 |
Drilling of a first reconnaissance well, GPK1, to 2000 m |
1990 |
Drilling of a network of microseismic observation wells and of a fully cored exploration well, EPS1, to 2250 m
|
1992 |
Deepening well GPK1 to 3600 m (T=165 °C) |
1995 |
Drilling well GPK2 to 3878 m |
1997 |
Carrying out a 4-month circulation test between GPK1 and GPK2 (flow rate of 25l/s) |
2000 |
Deepening well GPK2 to 5010 m (T= 203 °C) |
2002 |
Drilling well GPK3 to 5 km, in the immediate vicinity of GPK2.
The horizontal distance between the uncased parts of GPK2 and GPK3 is 650 m |
2003/2004 |
Stimulation of GPK3 and circulation tests between GPK3 and GPK2.
Drilling well GPK4 to 4985 m.
The horizontal distance between the uncased parts of wells GPK3 and GPK4 is 700 m |
2004/2005 |
Stimulation of GPK4 and 5-month circulation tests between the central injection well (GPK3) and the two lateral production wells GPK2 and GPK4 |
Main phases of the Soultz project
|
 |
 |
ENGINE: ENhanced Geothermal Innovative Network for Europe (2005-2008) Illus_14
This concerted action aims to develop a scientific and technical state-of-the-art for unconventional geothermal resources that could contribute to increasing the production of electricity in Europe. The project touches on resources to be exploited and methods for improving exploration, production and exploitation of EGS (Enhanced Geothermal Systems) and supercritical reserves.
All geothermal-related scientific and technical activities in Europe will be updated by integrating socio-economic and environmental aspects. Innovative concepts will be worked out in detail and a European reference manual will be compiled. In addition to the coordination, BRGM is responsible for setting up the web site and associated deliverables.
31 partners, BRGM (coordinator), CRES, Geowatt, GFZ, IE, IGG, ISOR, TNO and, for France, CFG , CNRS, GPC |
|
|
GEFRAC 2 (2006-2007)
The first objective is to improve the computing path aimed at describing the Hydro-Thermo-Mechanical behaviour of the geothermal exchangers in a fractured medium. The computing path takes into account conceptual models according to stacked scales ranging from that of the well environment to that of the exchanger dimensions. The aim is to model the access to the exchanger taking into consideration different Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical (THM) couplings based on a realistic geometry of the fracturing. The second objective is to obtain the experimental capability for undertaking fracture percolation tests with the injection of a chemically reactive fluid and to acquire data on the water-rock interactions in the geothermal systems in order to estimate the consequences on the permeability of the fractured medium.
Partners: ADEME/BRGM/Itasca/Mines Paris |
|
|
|
