For the successful realization and productivity prediction of new hydrothermal projects in the South German Molasse Basin, the hydraulic matrix properties of the Upper Jurassic Malm reservoir have to be determined as accurately as possible. To obtain specific information on the distribution of the petrophysical parameters (e.g., rock density, porosity, and permeability) 363 samples of rare drilling cores from the reservoir northeast of Munich (wells Moosburg SC4 and Dingolfing FB) were investigated using different experimental methods. Additionally, porosity was calculated by a downhole resistivity log of a nearby borehole close to Munich for comparison and the attempt of transferability of the data set to other locations within the Central Molasse Basin. Core data were divided into groups of different stratigraphic and petrographic units to cover the heterogeneity of the carbonate aquifer and provide data ranges to improve reservoir and prediction models. Data for effective porosity show a high variance from 0.3 to 19.2% throughout this heterogeneous aquifer. Permeability measured on core samples is scattered over several orders of magnitude (10 −4-10 2 mD). Permeability models based on the porosity-permeability relationship were used to estimate permeability for the whole aquifer section and identify possible flow zones. A newly developed empirical model based on distinct lithofacies types allows a permeability estimation with a deviation < 10 mD. However, fractured, karstified, and vuggy zones occurring in this typically karstified, fractured, and porous reservoir cannot yet be taken into account by the model and result in an underestimation of permeability on reservoir scale. Overall, the dominant permeability trends can be mapped well using this model. For the regional transfer and the correlation of the results, a core-related porosity/ permeability log for the reservoir was compiled for a well close to Munich showing similarities to the core investigations. The validation of the regional transferability of the parameter set to other locations in the Molasse Basin was carried out by correlation with the interpreted log data of a well near Munich.

In geothermal reservoir systems, changes in pore pressure due to production (depletion), injection or temperature changes result in a displacement of the effective stresses acting on the rock matrix of the aquifer. To compensate for these intrinsic stress changes, the rock matrix is subjected to poroelastic deformation through changes in rock and pore volume. This in turn may induce changes in the effective pore network and thus in the hydraulic properties of the aquifer. Therefore, for the conception of precise reservoir models and for long-term simulations, stress sensitivity of porosity and permeability is required for parametrization. Stress sensitivity was measured in hydrostatic compression tests on 14 samples of rock cores stemming from two boreholes of the Upper Jurassic Malm aquifer of the Bavarian Molasse Basin. To account for the heterogeneity of this carbonate sequence, typical rock and facies types representing the productive zones within the thermal reservoir were used. Prior to hydrostatic investigations, the hydraulic (effective porosity, permeability) and geomechanical (rock strength, dynamic, and static moduli) parameters as well as the microstructure (pore and pore throat size) of each rock sample were studied for thorough sample characterization. Subsequently, the samples were tested in a triaxial test setup with effective stresses of up to 28 MPa (hydrostatic) to simulate in-situ stress conditions for depths up to 2000 m. It was shown that stress sensitivity of the porosity was comparably low, resulting in a relative reduction of 0.7–2.1% at maximum effective stress. In contrast, relative permeability losses were observed in the range of 17.3–56.7% compared to the initial permeability at low effective stresses. Stress sensitivity coefficients for porosity and permeability were derived for characterization of each sample and the different rock types. For the stress sensitivity of porosity, a negative correlation with rock strength and a positive correlation with initial porosity was observed. The stress sensitivity of permeability is probably controlled by more complex processes than that of porosity, where the latter is mainly controlled by the compressibility of the pore space. It may depend more on the compaction of precedented flow paths and the geometry of pores and pore throats controlling the connectivity within the rock matrix. In general, limestone samples showed a higher stress sensitivity than dolomitic limestone or dolostones, because dolomitization of the rock matrix may lead to an increasing stiffness of the rock. Furthermore, the stress sensitivity is related to the history of burial diagenesis, during which changes in the pore network (dissolution, precipitation, and replacement of minerals and cements) as well as compaction and microcrack formation may occur. This study, in addition to improving the quality of input parameters for hydraulic–mechanical modeling, shows that hydraulic properties in flow zones largely characterized by less stiff, porous limestones can deteriorate significantly with increasing effective stress.

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Geothermal energy applications are seen as one key element for a successful heat transition in Bavaria. But there are still some barriers for a further development. To minimize these barriers the joint research project Geothermal Alliance Bavaria (GAB) is established. One important issue to foster the implementations of geothermal projects is the assessment of geothermal load prediction in the South German Molasse Basin (SGMB). This includes, aside from a reservoir temperature prognosis, an accurate description of the hydraulic properties of the Upper Jurassic Malm reservoir. Hydraulic test analyses are conducted in the framework of the GAB to obtain specific information about the hydraulic productivity of the reservoir. Results from these analyses show a decrease of rock permeability in southern direction within the reservoir. Because the spatial distribution of hydraulic test data is limited, the porosity of the reservoir is assessed by borehole core tests and logs interpretation. A trend of matrix porosity decrease with depth is recognised and correlates with the hydraulic test results. Based on these findings and combined with further information the Upper Jurassic reservoir could be classified in separated zones of similar production rates, which can now be used for a thermal output prognosis for the Bavarian part of the SGMB. To spatially expand these prognoses more data must be investigated in the next research phase of the GAB.