Geothermal research drilling in Cologne, Germany to start in Q1 2026
City view of Cologne (source: flickr/ Aleksandr Zykov, CC BY-SA 2.0)
Carlo Cariaga
20 Jan 2026
With the drilling company selected, exploratory geothermal drilling in Cologne, Germany is scheduled to start within the 1st quarter of 2026.
Drilling of an exploratory borehole for geothermal resources in the Dellbrück district of Cologne in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026. The well will be drilled to 1000 meters with the goal of providing more insight on the Devonian limestone layer’s suitability as a geothermal reservoir.
“The drilling company has been selected, and the permits have been applied for,” explains project manager Ingo Schäfer. “Once all necessary permits have been granted, we will begin construction of the drilling site immediately.”
The Geological Survey of North Rhine-Westphalia (GD NRW) is leading the effort to drill the research borehole as part of the NRW Geothermal Master Plan. Research drilling had recently been concluded in Krefeld, with results so far indicating a promising geothermal reservoir.
Cores will be extracted from the target limestone layer to better evaluate its suitability as a geothermal reservoir. The drilling site at a former sports field at Thurner Kamp was selected as models indicate that the complete sequence can be reached via deep drilling from this location.
Stephan Becker, the geologist responsible for the drilling project at the GD NRW, adds that two to three months have been allotted for the drilling work and the extraction of core samples. “The subsequent investigations in the borehole are also very important for us, as they provide valuable insights into the potential suitability of the massive limestone for geothermal energy use.”
Since an exploratory borehole does not meet the technical and legal requirements for a production borehole, it will subsequently be filled and the area will be restored.
Source: Geowaerme NRW
