Research

Our research addresses the following themes

• Subsurface storage of energy
• Geothermal energy
• Subsurface storage of CO2
• Production-related subsidence
• Society & subsurface utilization

Ongoing projects:

• EPI ondiepe ondergronden (shallow soils)
  The project focuses on the response of shallow soils (<100m) to induced seismicity caused by gas production. Since the top part of the soils in the Netherlands is practically always unconsolidated, characterized by low density and seismic velocities, the elastic waves generated by deeper (~3000m) seated tremors will be subject to transformation when arriving in these layers. The elastic waves consist of shear and compressional components. Whereas a lot of research has been carried out on the shallow behavior of the shear wave component, the characterization of the longitudinal component and the combination with the shear wave needs further investigation. This is to support the design of re-enforcement measures for buildings in areas affected by induced seismicity. This research will initially be focused in the area covering the Groningen gas field in view of the richness in available data.

Previous projects:

• EGRplus – Combining geothermal energy extraction with enhanced gas recovery.
  After decades of production many gas fields in the Netherlands are depleted to a point where no conventional economic gas production is possible anymore. One idea to extend the life of these fields is the EGRplus concept. EGRplus is the combination of enhanced gas recovery (EGR) with production of geothermal energy. With this synergy geothermal heat production may become economic since existing infrastructure of the gas field can be used. At the same time additional gas is produced together with large volumes of hot water, thus increasing gas recovery from the field and generating a second revenue stream > read more.