| Title | Application of Rapid Reservoir Modeling to Address Uncertainty in the Exploration of Faulted Geothermal Systems |
|---|---|
| Authors | Valeria Nogales Herrera, Hester Claridge, Pierre-Olivier Bruna, Alexandros Daniilidis, Carole Glaas |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | The development of successful geothermal projects is often hindered by geological uncertainties and the time-intensive nature of reservoir modeling. FindHeat, a European Union-funded initiative, addresses this challenge by establishing a workflow rooted in conceptual model-based exploration. This research investigates the conceptual exploration of faulted and fractured geothermal reservoirs by utilizing Rapid Reservoir Modeling (RRM) along with reservoir simulation. RRM enables the rapid generation and evaluation of various geological scenarios via a sketch-based interface, which facilitates the systematic addressing of uncertainties at various stages of a project. In this study, RRM will be used to generate multiple conceptual structural representations of faults and associated damage zones. Case studies conducted in Rittershoffen and Soultz-sous-Forêts illustrate how different modeling strategies influence the identification of high-permeability areas that can sustain viable flow rates with minimal stimulation. Future stages will encompass the integration of this workflow with the WEB-AVO inversion framework, allowing geophysical constraints to inform modeling and ensure coherence between conceptual geological models and seismic quantitative interpretations, ultimately improving exploration reliability in complex geothermal settings. These findings contribute to the broader objective of enhancing geothermal exploration and development. |