Geothermal Plays Feasibility and Potential in a Transform Basin: A Case Study from Southern Vienna Basin

Austria aims to diversify its energy resources and decrease its dependence on hydrocarbons through reliance on less CO2 emission resources.The transform Vienna Basin in Central Europe is well known for its rich history of hydrocarbon resources, yet its geothermal potential remains underexplored.The basin is characterized by a moderate geothermal gradient (22° C/km) and possesses a favorable geological setting, making it a promising prospect for geothermal energy exploitation.The current work investigated the southern part of the Vienna Basin's geothermal potential using a combination of legacy oil and gas wells and regional seismic lines.Each geological key level was evaluated using an integrated geological and geophysical characterizing approach to highlight possible systems within the basin.We also evaluated the subsurface conditions to identify, map, and allocate the highest potential geothermal resources in the basin.Additionally, we allocated economically feasible high-potential locations for optimal energy production scenarios within the basin.Lastly, a thorough economic assessment addressing different geothermal power plant options was carried out with different economic indicators such as, Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Return Rate (IRR), Discounted Payback Period (DPP), and Profitability Index (PI).We employed a combination of geological, geophysical, and basin modeling techniques to estimate the property spatial distribution within the basin.Moreover, we attest to the subsurface conditions for geothermal production using numerical models to estimate the production capacity of the basin and economics feasibility.Our results indicated that the Vienna Basin has a significant untapped geothermal potential, with several viable energy production scenarios.The Karpatian aquifer reservoirs present optimal conditions for geothermal production, though they face challenges related to permeability.Enhancing reservoir conditions through stimulation techniques was therefore needed to maximize their geothermal production potential.Overall, the system was found to have a low-moderate plant output (227,952,720 kWh/yr on average) utilizing a binary-cycle system for electricity production.Electricity production is expected to be profitable based on a 25-30 years life span and payback within an almost 8-year period.The Geothermal energy development in the Vienna Basin can contribute significantly to the region's energy mix, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable development.Our findings highlight the favorable potential plays for geothermal harvesting or heating and cooling applications in the Vienna Basin.Additionally, the current research offers forward-looking recommendations, aiding strategic decision-making in the geothermal industry.