News
16. Juli 2010
Exploration licences obtained
Geothermal Explorers has successfully applied for two exploration licences for gas and hot water in central Switzerland (Kantone NW and OW) for our client GVM-AG. With the acquisition of a comprehensive seismic survey we endeavour to generate a detailed structural model of the complex geology in Central Switzerland in order to identify drillable prospects. A more detailed description of the project is given in the attached „Flyer.pdf” (in German).
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5. July 2010
Test well 1 on the Novartis Campus site
On behalf of Novartis Pharma AG a first test well was drilled from 11.-13.06.2010 on the Novartis Campus site in Basel, Switzerland for a planned closed loop ground source heat pump system. The well was drilled to a depth of 451m using down-the-hole-hammer technology. A thermal response test is now measuring the thermal conductivity of the ground. Before drilling took place Geothermal Explorers International Ltd acted as a consultant for geological and drilling risks and during drilling as well site geologists.
| rock chips from test well
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3. May 2010
Heat production from ground water at Bad Schinznach
The heat demand of the Bad Schinznach spa is largely provided by the geothermal well S3. Due to the expansion of the facilities, the spa asked Geothermal Explorers to search for additional sustainable heat resources in order to keep their exemplary low CO2 balance. We developed the concept of a sustainable heat extraction from the ground water stream of the adjacent Aare river. Two test wells drilled near the spa produced to the expected flow rates. It will allow a heat production of 700 kW, which will save 500 tons of fuel, ie. 1320 tons of CO2 annually.
| Test well Bad Schinznach
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13.-16. April 2010
Coiled tubing operation in well Basel 1
For post-stimulation acoustic borehole imaging a coiled tubing operation was carried out with the aim to mill out obstructions in the open hole section from 4'638 - 5'009 meters. The structural alterations in the borehole proved to be severe. The mill got stuck at a depth of 4'704 m and prevents further milling operations to TD. The subsequent UBI logging run over the accessible open borehole section has been adjourned for the time being.
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09. March 2010
Continued microseismic monitoring
The microsseismic activity around borehole Basel 1 has been recorded since December 2006. The data are evaluated and communicated on a weekly basis. The plot of the activity can be found in the download section. The monitoring continues despite the project Deep Heat Mining has been aborted. The decrease of the event rate is apparent on the plot.
The upper diagram shows natural regional events (empty diamonds), recorded by the Swiss Seismological Service (SED). Solid diamonds show seismic events occurred in vicinity of the borehole, hence out of the reservoir.
The lower diagram shows the amount of triggered events recorded by borehole sensors. Shown in blue are all events recorded by the trigger station. Fewer events, shown in red, are strong enough to be recorded at all stations allowing to determine its hypocenter.
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21. Dezember 2009
Press release
Statement of Markus O. Häring
Basel, December 21st, 2009 – Dr. Markus O. Häring, CEO of Geothermal Explorers, acknowledges the full acquittal by the Basel tribunal with great relief.
„After months of silence, due to juridical considerations, I’m relieved to finally give some public statements:
First of all I want to thank my family, which gave me their unconditional support and strength during this very difficult time. It was a heavy burden, which I do not wish to anyone else. My family suffered under the accusations. I’m also grateful to all my friends in the world, who supported me. My thanks go to my team, which did a great job back stage and disburdened me from the daily business.
My thanks go also to the board of directors of Geopower Base,l who supported me unanimously.
I would like to take the opportunity to emphasize that throughout all these years and even through these days, the cooperation with the administration of the city of Basel was always constructive and professional. The authorities were demanding according to their duties but always correct. Based on the results of the recent risk analysis, we fully endorse the decision of the city council to terminate the project Deep Heat Mining in its planned form at the Basel site.
As a geologist I have a deep respect of nature and its complexity. The tremors that we triggered during our reservoir stimulation are a setback for the development of enhanced geothermal systems. As scientist and developer I do not try to find culprits but try to find answers and solutions for future developments. Innovation has a price, innovation is based on hard work and reflection.
I’m glad now, that I can dedicate my efforts again to my work.“
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10. Dezember 2009
Seismische Risikoanalyse zum Deep Heat Mining Projekt
Geothermal Explorers acknowledges the results of the Deep Heat Mining risk analysis. The results confirm Geothermal Explorers decision to stop the stimulation process when the first perceivable seismic event occured.
Geothermal Explorers is pleased by the statement of the expert group that a conclusive risk analysis would not have been possible without the comprehensive data set acquired by the microseismic monitoring system (see animation below). The hydraulic injections produced decisive findings for the modelling of stimulation risks. This leads to a negative verdict for the Basel site, which we fully endorse.
The gain of knowledge from this experiment cannot be overestimated. It is our privilege to continue our quest for the development of enhanced geothermal systems with this know-how.
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9. December 2009
New SED publication
The Swiss Seismological Service (SED) has recently published a publication, which addresses recent results concerning the earthquake of December 8, 2006 in Basel. On the basis of peak ground velocities, a value which can be put in relation to induced damages, Ripperger et al., 2009 have modeled intensity maps. In context to this publication, we want to give supplemental background information to the mentioned earthquake.
The shake of December 8, 2006 in Basel had a size of magnitude ML 3.4. The magnitude is a scale of the size of an earthquake. It is derived from the maximum amplitude of ground movement, which is recorded on seismographs. The magnitude describes the energy content released by an earthquake. An increase of one magnitude in scale equals a release of 30 times the energy content. Of all different definitions of magnitude existing, the Richter magnitude scale ML and moment magnitude Mw are the most commonly used. Several earthquakes of magnitude 3 to 4 occur in Switzerland every year.
As the magnitude is not a measure for damages and disturbances, one has to define the intensity of an earthquake. The intensity describes the damages on building and observations made by individuals. It is a subjective scale, depending on the location of observation, i.e. for instance on the density of buildings and reporting individuals, condition of the building and the subsoil.
The European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98) describes the intensity for European countries. According to this scale, an EMS intensity of e.g. V (strong) means: “The earthquake is felt indoors by most, outdoors by few. Many sleeping people awake. A few run outdoors. Buildings tremble throughout. Hanging objects swing considerably. China and glasses clatter together. The vibration is strong. Topheavy objects topple over. Doors and windows swing open or shut.” The scale implies weak building damages starting at an intensity of VI: “Felt by most indoors and by many outdoors. Many people in buildings are frightened and run outdoors. Small objects fall. Slight damage to many ordinary buildings; for example, fine cracks in plaster and small pieces of plaster fall”.
In the case of the Basel earthquake of December 8, 2006 of scale 3.4, a maximal intensity of 4 – 5 has been registered according to the SED. The results of Ripperger et al., 2009 show the maximum intensities to be in the order of 4 to 5. Localities as Benken, Dornach, Muttenz or Lörrach lie in a range of intensities of 2 – 3.
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24. August 2009
Deep Heat Mining Basel: Results from post-stimulation measurements
Two temperature logs and hydraulic well tests were conducted during the last few months in Basel 1 well. The measurements were authorized by the Canton Basel-Stadt.
The temperature logs yielded a maximum temperature of 174°C at 4682 m depth. The mean geothermal gradient within the sedimentary rock section was found to be 4.1°C / 100 m respectively 2.7°C / 100 m for the crystalline basement. The open hole section is accessible down to 4682 m depth and the temperature profile indicates water flow along fractures. Additional indications for water flowing structures were found in the top section of the crystalline basement.
The hydraulic well tests showed a significant enhancement of reservoir injectivity and permeability. The diagrams illustrate the change in injectivity during and after the stimulation.
The permeability has increased by two orders of magnitude. Due to the rather short test duration this improvement is thought to be valid only for the near-field of the well.
Reference:
Ladner, F., Häring, M.O., 2009. Hydraulic characteristics of the Basel 1 enhanced geothermal system. Paper submitted to GRC Annual Meeting, October 4-7, 2009 in Reno (USA).
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2. June 2009
Deep Heat Mining: Dummy-Run Bohrung Basel 1
A dummy run was conducted in Basel 1 in order to test the accessibility. The tool passed the casing shoe at 4’629m depth and ran into the open hole where it stood up at 4’682m on an already previously noted obstacle . The obstacle has to be removed with a coiled tubing unit in order to get access for post-stimulation logging down to TD of 5’000m.
| Dummy run in well Basel 1 |
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12. - 14. May 2009
Visit by South Korean delegation
Our Korean partner INNOGEO visited us last week with representatives of the Korean Institute of Energy research (KIER) and representatives of a Korean investment trust for a information meeting and excursions to various geothermal sites like Riehen, Landau, Soultz-sous-Forêts and Basel. Geothermal Explorers enjoys the fruitful cooperation with INNOGEO for the development of geothermal resources in South Korea.
| Our visitors at Soultz-sous-Forêts. From left to right: Dr. Yoon, Hyung-Kee; Mr. Min, Byung-Wook, Dr. Chang, Ki-Chang; Mr. Lee, Sang-Don; Mr. Yoon, In-Soo; Mr. Park, Jong-Sam; Mr. Christian Häring |
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30. April 2009
10 years Geothermal Explorers
On April 30. 2009 Geothermal Explorers celebrates its 10th anniversary!
Our vision to explore and develop the sustainable geothermal resource is successful.
Whenever you undertake something no one has done before, you will experience set-backs, unexpected successes, resistance, unimagined opportunities, all in unpredictable sequence.
When you explore new lands, you will find no tracks. The world appears to be discovered, however, only a few metres below our feet we are literally in the dark.
We have learnt, that there are still plenty of undiscovered resources. They are hard to find but we will need them for our future.
Geothermal Explorers is determined to continue to explore for its clients sustainable primary resources with a profound know-how, diligence and dedication.
An exciting, challenging and rewarding task!
We extend our thanks to all clients who trust in us to achieve these challenges.
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19. March 2009
New Publications
Our latest publications do not appear yet on our download list. You can download them directly at the publishers page.
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22. January 2009
Results of the temperature logging and permeability test
In a borehole survey in December we run a temperature log down to 4600m where a temperature of 176°C was measured. A further simple filling test was applied to determine the permeability of the basement obtained due to the stimulations. The results confirm the assumptions made after the stimulations that the permeability of the reservoir has increased by a factor of several magnitudes.
| Image of filling test of well Basel1 |
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14. January 2009
Latest publications
Our latest publications do not appear yet on our download list. You can download them directly at the publishers page.
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5. January 2009
New website
Dear clients, partners, friends
We wish you a Happy New Year. This year may be even more challenging than the years before. Tackling challenges is however the essence of exploration, our core business. A new logo and a refreshed website just emphasises our dedication to renew and improve our services on a continuous base to serve your requirements.
The new logo symbolizes our planet, providing all resources we ever need, albeit as hidden treasures at great depth. We regard it as a common duty to harvest and protect these resources in a sustainable way for our and future generations.