Regional Geological Evaluation for the SCAN Geothermal Exploration Campaign, the Netherlands

Summary In 2018 a geothermal exploration campaign named SCAN was started to decrease the subsurface uncertainties in the less explored areas of the Netherlands. This program includes the reprocessing of vintage seismic and the acquisition of new 2D seismic lines. Finally, the intention is to drill geothermal research wells. In order to focus the SCAN research and exploration activities a regional geological study was embarked upon to define the plays and map geothermal leads. Some new or improved geological concepts can be envisaged. One is based on the observation that below unconformity surfaces improved reservoir quality is often found in the subcropping formations. This difference in reservoir quality can be explained by the leaching of unstable minerals and cements due to infiltration of fresh surface water. Secondly, exploration in the Dutch offshore has shown that the facies and thickness of the Rotliegend sandstone reservoir is highly dependent on paleotopography, which was formed after the Hercynian tectonic phase. In the SCAN areas a conceptual model for the Rotliegend thickness and facies trends can be made. This model could help to target areas where the Rotliegend reservoir may be thicker and thus more attractive to drill.