Second well to be drilled at Leeuwarden geothermal heating project, Netherlands
Rig-up at Leeuwarden project, Netherlands (source: Waarmte Leeuwarden)
Carlo Cariaga
6 Oct 2022
Despite low subsurface permeability encountered at the first well, the decision was made to drill a second well for the Leeuwarden geothermal heating project in the Netherlands.
Preparations are underway for the drilling of the second well for the geothermal heating project at Leeuwarden in the Netherlands. This is despite the disappointing results of the first well. Nevertheless, the decision was made to continue the project and the second will is scheduled for drilling for the 3rd quarter of 2023.
The Leeuwarden geothermal heating project kicked off officially in the 1st half of 2021. It is being developed by Warmte van Leeuwarden, a consortium consisting of Shell, Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN), Ennatuurlijk, and Bouwgroep Djikstra Draisma.
Productivity issues were encountered after drilling of the first well. Initial well testing indicated that the first well had a low flowrate, prompting a plan to do additional perforations and a series of new production tests. Improvement in water flow was achieved, but the flowrate was still not as high as the developer had hoped.
Despite expectations of a limited capacity in the site, the decision was made to continue the project and proceed with the drilling of the second well. Although the problem of limited permeability still has not been solved, the risks and consequences of the project can at least be properly assessed. Moving forward, there are plans of using heat pumps to increase the power and efficiency of the source.
The project can be further optimized by taking advantage of the over-capacity in summer. There are plans to carry out shallow drilling in the 1st quarter of 2023 for the storage of excess summer heat in the subsurface which can then be supplied in the winter. The goal to start the supply of geothermal heat in Leeuwarden remains by the end of 2024.
“Geothermal energy is sustainable and reliable, and therefore a good alternative to gas. The project in Leeuwarden is very important for the further development of geothermal energy in the built environment in the Netherlands. So we do everything we can to make the project a success,” commented Ivar Nijenhuis, Managing Director at Geocombinatie Leeuwarden.
Source: Warmte van Leeuwarden
