| Title | Sensitivity and resolution of geophysical methods in response to a deep fractured geothermal reservoir model in the Upper Rhine Graben: a methodological framework |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ernesto Macedo Serrano |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | Upper Rhine Graben; geophysical sensitivity; fractured geothermal reservoirs; multiphysics imaging; inverse problem; exploration strategies |
| Abstract | Deep geothermal exploration in rifted settings such as the Upper Rhine Graben (URG) requires accurate imaging of deep fractured reservoirs hosted at the basement–cover interface or within crystalline rocks. However, commonly used geophysical methods show contrasting sensitivities and resolutions to key geological and petrophysical parameters, and no integrated guidelines exist for selecting the most suitable techniques. This research aims to evaluate the sensitivity, resolution, and complementarity of geophysical methods for deep geothermal reservoir characterization in the URG. The project will refine existing geological models using new data and knowledge from recent studies and geothermal operations, with particular focus on the crystalline basement, and will incorporate petrophysical properties such as porosity, density, electrical conductivity, and magnetic susceptibility. These models will serve as inputs for forward simulations of established geophysical methods, with attention given to emerging technologies including controlled-source electromagnetism, nuclear magnetic resonance, and passive seismic, assessed in both surface–surface and surface–well configurations. The comparative analysis of these responses will quantify method-specific sensitivities to fracture networks, lithological contrasts, and fluid distributions. Complementary methods will be evaluated for their ability to jointly constrain the inverse problem and enhance subsurface imaging, reducing exploration uncertainty. The most promising configurations will be tested against real datasets from URG geothermal sites such as Soultz-sous-Forêts. The expected outcome is a practical, target-oriented framework that identifies optimal geophysical approaches for imaging deep fractured geothermal systems. This work will support improved de-risking strategies for future geothermal developments and advance multiphysics imaging methodologies for deep subsurface resources. |