DMT starts 3D seismic survey campaign for geothermal exploration in Greater Munich area, Germany

The large-scale 3D seismic survey, part of the GIGA-M project, has officially started in the Greater Munich area in Germany. The survey, being done by DMT GmbH & Co. KG (DMT GROUP), will cover an area of around 11000 square kilometers and will generate a detailed 3D image of the subsurface which will be the basis for further geothermal development in the region. The survey is scheduled to last until November.

First announced in 2023, the GIGA-M project (Large-Scale Integrated Analysis of the Deep Geothermal Potential and its Synergistic Use in the Greater Munich Area / Großräumige Integrierte Gesamt-Analyse des tiefengeothermischen Potentials und seiner synergetischen Nutzung im Großraum München) is the most comprehensive seismic survey to date to explore geothermal potential in Germany.

The GIGA-M project is being jointly executed by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Stadtwerke München (SWM), Energie-Wende-Garching (EWG), the city of Munich, and the Munich district. Funding for the project has been provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).

Through the GIGA-M project, DMT is further expanding its role as one of the leading partners in the development of geothermal projects and the exploration of raw materials.

“A 3D seismic survey of this scale poses unique challenges in terms of planning and execution. In the densely populated survey area, a large number of measurement points, the deployment of vibro-trucks and the recording by thousands of geophones must be precisely coordinated. It is essential to generate a consistent data set across the entire survey area, from which the 3D model of the subsurface is subsequently created,” said Dr Christian Henke, Head of Seismic Exploration & Processing at DMT.

“With GIGA-M, we are setting a new benchmark for seismic site exploration in urban areas. Largescale 3D seismic surveys provide the data required to assess and systematically develop geothermal potential in the Greater Munich area. The experience gained can also provide important impetus for other cities and regions that want to develop deep geothermal energy as a component of their heat supply,” added Dr Maik Tiedemann, CEO of DMT GmbH & Co. KG and CEO of the TÜV NORD GROUP’s business unit Energy & Resources.

DMT has already carried out a large-scale 3D seismic survey in Münster to investigate the deep subsurface with a view to geothermal energy utilisation. The experience gained from planning and carrying out seismic surveys in urban areas is also being applied to the campaign in the Greater Munich area. Furthermore, DMT has many years’ experience in geophysical exploration and subsurface investigation for raw materials and energy projects worldwide.

Source: Email correspondence