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Solid Earth, 12, 35–58, 2021 https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-35-2021 © Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Characterization of discontinuities in potential reservoir rocks for geothermal applications in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area (Germany) Martin Balcewicz1,2, Benedikt Ahrens3, Kevin Lippert3,2, and Erik H. Saenger1,3,2 1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Bochum University of Applied Sciences, Am Hochschulcampus 1, 44801 Bochum, Germany 2Institute of Geology, Mineralogy, and Geophysics, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany 3Fraunhofer IEG, Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems, Am Hochschulcampus 1, 44801 Bochum, Germany Correspondence: Martin Balcewicz ([email protected]) Received: 21 April 2020 – Discussion started: 6 May 2020 Revised: 20 November 2020 – Accepted: 20 November 2020 – Published: 13 January 2021 Abstract. The importance of research into clean and renew- entation analysis indicated three dominant strike orientations able energy solutions has increased over the last decade. in NNW–SSE, NW–SE, and NE–SW directions within the Geothermal energy provision is proven to meet both con- target horizon of interest. This compacted limestone layer ditions. Therefore, conceptual models for deep geothermal (Massenkalk) is approximately 150 m thick and located at applications were developed for different field sites regard- 4000 to 6000 m depth, dipping northwards at a dip angle of ing different local conditions. In Bavaria, Germany, geother- about 30 to 40◦. An extrapolation of the measured layer ori- mal applications were successfully carried out in carbonate entation and dip suggests that the carbonate reservoir could horizons at depths of 4000 to 6000 m. Matrix permeabil- hypothetically extend below Essen, Bochum, and Dortmund. ity and thermal conductivity was mainly studied in karsti- Our combined analysis of the field and laboratory results fied carbonates from the Late Jurassic reef facies. Similar has shown that it could be a naturally fractured carbonate to Bavaria, carbonates are located in the east of the Rheno- reservoir. We evaluated the potential discontinuity network hercynian Massif, in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), for in the reservoir and its orientation with respect to the prevail- which quantification of the geothermal potential is still lack- ing maximum horizontal stress before concluding with im- ing. Compared to Bavaria, a supraregional carbonate moun- plications for fluid flow: we proposed focusing on prominent tain belt is exposed at the Remscheid-Altena anticline (in discontinuities striking NNW–SSE for upcoming geothermal NRW) from the Upper Devonian and Lower Carbonifer- applications, as these (1) are the most common, (2) strike ous times. The aim of our study was to examine the po- in the direction of the main horizontal stress, (3) have a tential geothermal reservoir by field and laboratory investi- discontinuity permeability that significantly exceeds that of gations. Therefore, three representative outcrops in Wupper- the reservoir rock matrix, and (4) only about 38 % of these tal, Hagen-Hohenlimburg, and Hönnetal were studied. Dur- discontinuities were observed with a calcite filling. The re- ing field surveys, 1068 discontinuities (139 open fractures maining discontinuities either showed no filling material or without any filling, 213 joints, 413 veins filled with calcite, showed debris deposits, which we interpret as open at reser- and 303 fractures filled with debris deposits) at various spa- voir depth. Our results indicate that even higher permeability tial scales were observed by scanline surveys. These dis- can be expected for karstified formations related to the reef continuities were characterized by trace length, true spacing, facies and hydrothermal processes. Our compiled data set, roughness, aperture, and filling materials. Discontinuity ori- consisting of laboratory and field measurements, may pro- Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. 36 M. Balcewicz et al.: Geothermal potential of a carbonate reservoir in the Rhine-Ruhr region vide a good basis for 3D subsurface modelling and numerical reservoir permeability is obvious. Compared to the matrix prediction of fluid flow in the naturally fractured carbonate permeability of the host rock, the permeability of disconti- reservoir. nuities is generally several orders of magnitude higher (e.g. Nelson and Handin, 1977; Kranz et al., 1979; Evans et al., 1997; Ahrens et al., 2018). Detailed discontinuity analysis is essential to model reservoir quality, optimal well location, 1 Introduction and well performance (Nelson, 2001). Field surveys are both the first and one of the most crucial steps in the exploitation The Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region in western Germany is of the reservoir (van Golf-Racht, 1982; Agosta et al., 2010), one of the largest metropolitan areas in Europe. It has the i.e. the investigation of the discrete fracture network (DFN). largest European district heating network (AGFW, 2009) and Furthermore, since direct information on in situ properties is one of the largest energy systems in the world that is pre- is limited and inaccessible (e.g. seismic tomography or well dominantly fed by fossil fuels (Klaus et al., 2010). In re- and borehole data), outcrop characterizations and laboratory cent decades, the Ruhr metropolitan area has been subject to measurements can provide the basis for reservoir characteri- structural changes associated with the ending of traditional zation and the estimation of the potential reservoir behaviour coal mining and steel industry, as well as accelerated ur- under in situ conditions. banization. Considering effective climate change, these pro- In this integrated study, we examine the geothermal poten- cesses pose local to global challenges for a post-fossil en- tial of deep carbonates in the Rhine-Ruhr area by combin- ergy future. The polycentric structure of the Rhine-Ruhr area ing field and laboratory investigations of pre-existing discon- is particularly promising for the requirements imposed by tinuities and discontinuity networks at outcrop and sample the energy transition (Wegener et al., 2019). To account for scales. The combined analysis of field and laboratory mea- the increasing demand for energy supply (e.g., Scheer et al., surements allows us to describe the potential carbonate reser- 2013; Araújo, 2014), the successful implementation of sus- voir by characterizing its natural fracture systems. Three out- tainable non-fossil energy concepts, such as geothermal en- crop analogues on the eastern side of the northern Rhenoher- ergy projects, is required (Fridleifsson et al., 2008; Goldstein cynian Massif have been chosen for field survey and sample et al., 2011). collection. All quarries are located within the Devonian Reef In recent years, many economically successful geother- Complex. The dominant stratigraphic unit in those quarries is mal energy projects in Bavaria, southern Germany, have the Massenkalk facies from the Middle and Upper Devonian been realized and could serve as a valuable model for the (Krebs, 1970; Paeckelmann, 1979; Schudack, 1993). Dom- Rhine-Ruhr area. The Bavarian part of the South German inant discontinuity systems and different facies have been Molasse Basin has a high hydrothermal energy potential documented and sampled. Most of these measurements have (Schellschmidt et al., 2010; Böhm et al., 2010; Stober, 2014; been conducted by one-dimensional scanline surveys (Priest Homuth, 2014), which can be extracted from pre-existing and Hudson, 1976, 1981). Representative fresh rock samples discontinuity and karst systems in deep carbonate rocks have been taken directly from the outcrop wall and petro- (e.g., limestone deposits Fritzer et al., 2010). Similar to physically characterized by different laboratory methods. deep Bavarian deposits, carbonate rocks were accumulated In the following, we first introduce the geology of the De- in western Germany. Geothermal systems aiming for compa- vonian Reef Complex. We proceed by describing the out- rable geological carbonate horizons in the Rhine-Ruhr area, crops and the employed field and laboratory methods. Fol- located at depths relevant for deep geothermal applications lowing the presentation of the measurements results, we con- (DEKORP Research Group, 1990), are promising solutions clude by discussing the geothermal potential of the geologi- to initiate the energy transition (Knutzen, 2017). A feasibil- cal subsurface model, i.e. the deep carbonate layers and their ity study including extensive subsurface reservoir character- discontinuity systems. ization and local geological site assessment is essential to describe the hydrothermal potential of presumably fractured and faulted carbonates in the Rhine-Ruhr area. 2 Geology, outcrop investigations, and laboratory The estimation and description of individual discontinu- measurements ities and entire discontinuity networks in deep reservoirs is of elementary importance when it comes to reservoir charac- 2.1 Geological setting: the Devonian Reef Complex terization. Discontinuities and discontinuity networks have a decisive influence on the fluid flow within the reservoir The Rhenohercynian Massif is the northernmost mountain (e.g. Odling et al., 1999) and also on its stability (e.g. Cappa belt of Europe, which shows the results of the Hercy- et al., 2005). They are typical observations