Geothermal Potential of Sedimentary Rocks in Poland for Enhanced Geothermal System

Abstract

The paper describes the scope and results of the project which was carried out in the year of 2010-2013 by leading scientific research centers in Poland. The main objective of the project was to assess the possibility of using geological structures for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) in the territory of Poland through cartographic imaging of selected structures, prospective for this type of systems. As one of the Consortium members, a research team from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow conducted the work connected with analysis of the possibility of using reservoirs in sedimentary rocks for such systems. A number of analyses was performed in order to select the most prospective area. The most promising conditions occur in central part of Poland in an area covering the Mogilno-£ódŸ Trough region and a small part of the Kujawy Swell and Fore-Sudetic regions. Preliminary analyses revealed prospects for building EGS in the Lower Triassic reservoir, which seem to be a complex meeting the EGS requirements. However the Permian and Carboniferous sandstones also have been identified as a potential reservoir for EGS in this area, the advantage of the Lower Triassic reservoir was the large thickness of sedimentary rocks combined with the favorable reservoir parameters for EGS (low porosity and permeability). For selected structures geothermal resources were assessed.