The Aquarius North Sea Geothermal Consortium, led by ZeGen Energy, has completed a geothermal assessment project for TotalEnergies. It is believed to be the first of its kind globally. The 12-month study, which was concluded late last year, 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 was jointly supported by TotalEnergies R&D department in Pau and the UK asset group and made a case study of a producing oil and gas field on the UKCS. 

The assessment applies a technical framework developed in-house 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.  The project’s multidisciplinary team worked closely with TotalEnergies to complete the assessment. 

To date, the industry lacks a structured approach to identify, assess, and compare geothermal development models for enhancing, reusing, or repurposing hydrocarbon assets. The result of this study is a clear picture of near and long-term geothermal power options that could be replicated across global asset portfolios. This allows operators to better understand the role of geothermal as part of a blended renewable energy solution to support the industry’s commitment to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions during hydrocarbon production. 

Kirsten Pasturel, ZeGen Energy CEO, on behalf of Aquarius, commented:
“This project is an important step in advancing geothermal as an integral part of the future blended offshore energy mix. We must find scalable and commercially viable solutions that are based on science and technology innovation.”

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