Assessing the potential for geothermal energy in the UK North Sea

A geothermal assessment project ‘The Aquarius North Sea Geothermal Consortium’, led by ZeGen Energy, has been completed for TotalEnergies in the UK.

Concluded late last year, the 12-month study, fully integrates subsurface, wells and topside elements, and provides guidance on how geothermal energy might be included in an offshore renewable energy portfolio.

The study made a case study of an oil and gas field on the UK Continental Shelf. 

The assessment applies a technical framework developed by the Aquarius partners to evaluate current, enhanced, and future state geothermal opportunities using existing and anticipated production scenarios.

Well and platform co-production and repurposing were considered in addition to the potential for prospective ‘green-field’ geothermal exploration.

To date, the industry lacks a structured approach to identify, assess and compare geothermal development models for enhancing, reusing, or repurposing hydrocarbon assets.

Kirsten Pasturel, ZeGen Energy CEO, on behalf of Aquarius says, ‘This project is an important step in advancing geothermal as an integral part of the future blended offshore energy mix.’