Reassessing Geothermal Potential in Twente, the Netherlands, Using AI-Enhanced 3D Seismic Interpretation We recently completed a regional geothermal assessment for the Municipal...
Reassessing Geothermal Potential in Twente, the Netherlands, Using AI-Enhanced 3D Seismic Interpretation
We recently completed a regional geothermal assessment for the Municipality of Gemeente Dinkelland (eastern Netherlands), focused on evaluating the feasibility of small scaled geothermal development within the Twente subsurface.
The study integrated legacy 3D seismic data, well-log conditioning, synthetic seismogram calibration, structural interpretation, and reservoir characterization workflows to evaluate the geothermal prospectivity of the Lower Detfurth Sandstone, De Lutte Formation, and Tubbergen Formation.
A key part of the work involved merging multiple NEDERLANDSE AARDOLIE MAATSCHOPPIJ B.V. 3D seismic surveys into a single calibrated seismic volume, followed by ML-assisted seismic enhancement (AJAX) to improve reflector continuity and suppress acquisition/processing noise. Additional attribute workflows and fault-network interpretation were used to map structurally stable development zones and assess fault proximity constraints. The resulting interpretation identified several technically promising geothermal fairways: • Lower Detfurth Sandstone (~55–60°C) • De Lutte Formation (~70–75°C) • Tubbergen Formation (~75–90°C)
The study also highlighted the importance of integrating seismic interpretation with regional well control and velocity calibration, particularly in areas where existing public geothermal datasets show interpolation artefacts or sparse subsurface control.
From a geoscience perspective, one of the more interesting outcomes was how effectively legacy hydrocarbon datasets could be repurposed for geothermal screening and regional heat-transition planning.
Good example of how structural geology, reservoir characterization, seismic interpretation and modern ML-enhanced subsurface workflows increasingly converge in geothermal exploration.
dGB Earth Sciences #OpendTect #geothermal #geoscience #energy #seismicinterpretation #machinelearning #subsurface #geology #reservoircharacterization #energytransition
