3D structural model of the Federal State of Hesse (Germany) for geopotential evaluation

A successful utilization of deep geothermal resources requires accurate predictions about the distribution of reservoir temperature as well as of the hydraulic processes exerting a direct influence on the productivity of geothermal reservoirs. The aim of this study was to investigate and quantify the influence that regional thermo-hydraulic processes have on the geothermal configuration of potential reservoirs in the German Federal State of Hesse. Specifically, we have addressed the question of how the regional thermal and hydraulic configuration influence the local hydro-thermal reservoir conditions. Therefore, a 3D structural model of Hesse was used as a basis for purely hydraulic, purely thermal and coupled 3D thermo-hydraulic simulations of the deep fluid flow and heat transport. As a result of our numerical simulations, Hesse can be differentiated into sub-areas differing in terms of the dominating heat transport process. In a final attempt to quantify the robustness and reliability of the modelling results, the modelling outcomes were analyzed by comparing them to available subsurface temperature, hydraulic and hydrochemical data.

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“…The structural 3D model of Hesse (Figure 2a, [32]) relied on a large database and was constructed with the modelling software GOCAD [33].…”

Section: Structural Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In particular the effects of cold recharge and convective upflow of heated fluids on a regional scale [11] need to be better quantified in order to predict geothermal potentials. In red, three important main faults at the surface are outlined (modified after Arntd et al [32]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Regional Fluid Flow on Deep Temperatures (Hesse, Germany)

et al. 2019

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“…This method optimizes the use of heterogeneous data as constraints for the interpolation and enables data-weighting under different aspects. DSI is widely used for 3D surface modeling and describing 3D objects in the literature [19,22,38], because the algorithm minimizes the roughness (creates smooth surfaces), weights the data (from essential to insignificant), and uses constraints (hard vs. soft). Hard constraints restrict the degrees of freedom of surface nodes during interpolation, and soft constraints are honored in a least-squares sense by DSI [19].…”

Section: Skua-gocad and The Dsi Algorithmmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The potential of 3D geological modeling is widely used in economic geology for resource estimations, to understand the processes of enrichment (e.g., [12][13][14][15]), and to provide more information on depth [16]. It is a powerful tool in structural geology for the visualization of complex fault systems, in particular if additional geophysical data are available (e.g., [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]). Concurrent modeling during the exploration stage of a deposit delivers essential information on the distribution of the elements within enrichment zones of the deposit, creates an impression of the 3D geometry of the system, and can direct further targeting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D Modeling of the Epembe (Namibia) Nb-Ta-P-(LREE) Carbonatite Deposit: New Insights into Geometry Related to Rare Metal Enrichment

2018

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Geological 3D modeling delivers essential information on the distribution of enrichment zones and structures in (complex) mineral deposits and fosters a better guidance to subsequent exploration stages. The Paleoproterozoic Epembe carbonatite complex showcases the close relation between enrichment of specific elements (Nb, Ta, P, Total Rare Earth Element (TREE) + Y) and shear zones by structural modeling combined with geochemical interpolation. Three-dimensional fault surfaces based on structural field observations, geological maps, cross-sections, and drillhole data are visualized. The model shows a complex, dextral transpressive fault system. Three-dimensional interpolation of geochemical data demonstrates enrichment of Nb, Ta, P, and TREE + Y in small, isolated, lens-shaped, high-grade zones in close spatial distance to faults. Based on various indicators (e.g., oscillating variograms, monazite rims around the apatite) and field evidence, we see evidence for enrichment during hydrothermal (re-)mobilization rather than due to magmatic differentiation related to the formation of the alkaline system. This is further supported by geostatistical analysis of the three-dimensional distribution of Nb, Ta, P, and Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE) with respect to discrete shear zones.

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“…The interand extrapolation in areas without available borehole data implicate higher uncertainties. The reservoir temperature from the temperature models of Arndt et al (2011) and Rühaak et al (2014) is used as production temperature. For the injection temperature three scenarios are assumed: 90 • C for power generation with binary power plants, 50 • C for direct heat production and 30 • C for greenhouse farming.…”

Section: Assessment Of the Hydrothermal Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary studies for an integrated assessment of the hydrothermal potential of the Pechelbronn Group in the northern Upper Rhine Graben

et al. 2018

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Abstract. The northern Upper Rhine Graben is due to its tectonic setting and the positive geothermal anomaly a key region for geothermal heat and power production in Europe. In this area the Upper Eocene to Lower Oligocene Pechelbronn Group reaches depths of up to 2800 m with temperatures of locally more than 130 ∘C. In order to assess the hydrothermal potential of the Pechelbronn Group a large dataset is compiled and evaluated. Petrophysical parameters are measured on core samples of eight boreholes (courtesy of Exxon Mobil). Additionally, 15 gamma-ray logs, 99 lithology logs as well as more than 2500 porosity and permeability measurements on cores of some of these boreholes are available. The Lower Pechelbronn Beds are composed of fluvial to lacustrine sediments, the Middle Pechelbronn Beds were deposited in a brackish to marine environment and the Upper Pechelbronn Beds consist of fluvial/alluvial to marine deposits. In between the western and eastern masterfaults of the Upper Rhine Graben several fault blocks exist, with fault orientation being sub-parallel to the graben shoulders. During the syntectonic deposition of the Pechelbronn Group these fault blocks acted as isolated depocenters, resulting in considerable thickness and depositional facies variations on the regional and local scale (few tens to several hundreds of meters). Laboratory measurements of sonic wave velocity, density, porosity, permeability, thermal conductivity and diffusivity are conducted on the core samples that are classified into lithofacies groups. Statistically evaluated petrophysical parameters are assigned to each group. The gamma-ray logs serve to verify the lithological classification and can further be used for correlation analysis or joint inversion with the petrophysical data. Well data, seismic sections, isolines and geological profiles are used to construct a geological 3-D model. It is planned to use the petrophysical, thermal and hydraulic rock properties at a later stage to parametrize the model unit and to determine, together with the temperature and thickness of the model unit, the expected flow rates and reservoir temperatures and thus the hydrothermal potential.

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3D structural model of the Federal State of Hesse (Germany) for geopotential evaluation

Cited by 12 publications

References 0 publications

The Effects of Regional Fluid Flow on Deep Temperatures (Hesse, Germany)

The Effects of Regional Fluid Flow on Deep Temperatures (Hesse, Germany)

3D Modeling of the Epembe (Namibia) Nb-Ta-P-(LREE) Carbonatite Deposit: New Insights into Geometry Related to Rare Metal Enrichment

Preliminary studies for an integrated assessment of the hydrothermal potential of the Pechelbronn Group in the northern Upper Rhine Graben

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