Localization of temperature anomalies in the Upper Rhine Graben: insights from geophysics and neotectonic activity

Baillieux, Paul; Schill, Eva; Edel, Jean–Bernard; Mauri, Guillaume

doi:10.1080/00206814.2013.794914

Cited by 91 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…The so-called 'Soultz geothermal anomaly' At the regional scale, the underground temperature distribution is spatially heterogeneous, and a series of local anomalies with temperatures above 140°C at 2-km depth are mainly concentrated on the western side of the URG, such as Soultz-sous-Forêts (France), Landau (Germany), or Mainz (Germany) (Schellschmidt and Clauser 1996;Baillieux et al 2013). The temperature anomalies in the URG are controlled by three thermally relevant mechanisms: variability in the radiogenic heat production, convection, and conduction.…”

Section: Presentation Of the Egs Site Of Soultz-sous-forêtsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do permeable fractures in the Triassic sediments of Northern Alsace characterize the top of hydrothermal convective cells? Evidence from Soultz geothermal boreholes (France)

Vidal

Genter²,

Schmittbuhl

2015

Geotherm Energy

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Background: The thermal regime of the Upper Rhine Graben (URG) is characterized by a series of anomalies near Soultz-sous-Forêts (France), Rittershoffen (France), and Landau (Germany). These temperature anomalies are associated with groundwater circulation in fractures and faults distributed in the Cenozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary cover associated with and connected to fractures originating deep within the Paleozoic basement. The present study helps to understand the convective cell structure in order to optimize geothermal borehole trajectories. Methods: The work concentrated on a detailed interpretation of the geophysical and geological logs from Soultz geothermal wells mainly from the topographic surface to the Triassic formations, at between 800-and 1,400-m depth above the deep granitic basement.

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Section: Presentation Of the Egs Site Of Soultz-sous-forêtsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do permeable fractures in the Triassic sediments of Northern Alsace characterize the top of hydrothermal convective cells? Evidence from Soultz geothermal boreholes (France)

Vidal

Genter²,

Schmittbuhl

2015

Geotherm Energy

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“…Pribnow and Schellschmidt 2000;Buchmann and Connolly 2007;Guillou-Frottier et al 2013;Baillieux et al 2013;Magnenet et al 2014). The granitic basement, and the interface between the Permo-Triassic sedimentary units and the granite, has consequently received considerable attention for geothermal energy exploitation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microstructural and petrophysical properties of the Permo-Triassic sandstones (Buntsandstein) from the Soultz-sous-Forêts geothermal site (France)

et al. 2017

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Geothermal projects in the Upper Rhine Graben aim to harness thermal anomalies that have arisen due to hydrothermal circulation within the granitic basement and the overlying Permo-Triassic sedimentary units. We present here a systematic microstructural, mineralogical, and petrophysical characterisation of the lowermost unit of this Permo-Triassic sedimentary succession-the Buntsandstein-sampled from exploration well EPS-1 at the Soultz-sous-Forêts geothermal site (France). Twelve depths were sampled (from 1008 to 1414 m) and cylindrical cores were prepared perpendicular and parallel to bedding. These cores were described in terms of their microstructure, grain size and shape, specific surface area, pore size and pore throat size distribution, mineral content, porosity, P-wave velocity, and permeability. The Buntsandstein sandstones are predominantly feldspathic sandstones, often characterised by pores filled or partially filled (with clays (R3 illite-smectite), dolomite, siderite, and barite) as a consequence of diagenesis, tectonics, and the circulation of hydrothermal fluids. The porosity, dry P-wave velocity, and permeability of these sandstones vary from ~ 0.03 to 0.2, ~ 2.5 to 4.5 km s −1 , and ~ 10 −18 to 10 −13 m 2 , respectively. Our data show that P-wave velocity decreases and permeability increases as porosity increases. P-wave velocities are significantly higher when measured parallel to bedding (by about 10 to 25%), and that saturation with water increases P-wave velocity (by about 5 to 50%, depending on sample orientation). The pervasive pore-filling precipitation has significantly reduced the permeabilities of the Buntsandstein sandstones, which are orders of magnitude less permeable than similarly porous unaltered sandstone. We also find that their permeability can be up to an order of magnitude more permeable when measured parallel to bedding than perpendicular to bedding. Although Buntsandstein units with low matrix permeabilities (as low as ~ 10 −18 m 2 ) require macroscopic fractures to attain the high permeability required to sustain regional hydrothermal circulation, matrix permeability is important for units with low fracture densities and high matrix permeabilities. We anticipate that these data will aid future fluid flow modelling and seismic investigations at geothermal sites within the Upper Rhine Graben. Open Access© The Author(s) 2017. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

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“…CentralE urope hosts an umber of important heat flux anomalies that are linked to upwellingf luids of enhanced [5] and to the south of the Black Forest at the High Rhine, [6] reaching heat flux densities up to 150 mW m…”

Section: Reservoir Characterization and Engineeringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Research as Key to the Development of a Sustainable Geothermal Energy Technology

et al. 2017

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As estimated by the International Energy Agency, geothermal power can contribute to 3.5 % of worldwide power and 3.9 % to heat production by 2050. This includes the development of enhanced geothermal systems (EGSs) in low‐enthalpy systems. EGS technology is still in an early stage of development. Pushing EGS technologies towards market maturity requires a long‐term strategic approach and massive investments in research and development. Comprehensive multidisciplinary research programs that combine fundamental and applied concepts to tackle technological, economic, ecological, and safety challenges along the EGS process chain are needed. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has defined a broad research program on EGS technology development following the necessity of a transdisciplinary approach. The research concept is embedded in the national research program of the Helmholtz Association and is structured in four clusters: reservoir characterization and engineering, thermal water circuit, materials and geoprocesses, and power plant operation. The proximity to industry, closely interlinked with fundamental research, forms the basis of a target‐orientated concept. The present paper aims to give an overview of geothermal research at KIT and emphasizes the need for concerted research efforts at the international level to accelerate technological breakthrough of EGS as an essential part of a future sustainable energy system.

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Localization of temperature anomalies in the Upper Rhine Graben: insights from geophysics and neotectonic activity

Cited by 91 publications

References 64 publications

How do permeable fractures in the Triassic sediments of Northern Alsace characterize the top of hydrothermal convective cells? Evidence from Soultz geothermal boreholes (France)

How do permeable fractures in the Triassic sediments of Northern Alsace characterize the top of hydrothermal convective cells? Evidence from Soultz geothermal boreholes (France)

Microstructural and petrophysical properties of the Permo-Triassic sandstones (Buntsandstein) from the Soultz-sous-Forêts geothermal site (France)

Integrated Research as Key to the Development of a Sustainable Geothermal Energy Technology

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