You drill four kilometres down to bring the ultimate geothermal heat to the surface - and this desired Triassic layer turns out not to be suitable for profitable geothermal heat sourcing. This is the case in the Triassic project. But there is also good news: a lot was learned about geothermal heat and the layer above the Triassic layer - the Early Cretaceous layer and more specifically the Delft sandstone - is very suitable for pumping water round. This scenario, 2.7 kilometres deep, is likely even better than originally thought.
Triassic layer
The permeability of the Triassic layer is by far not sufficient to pump water upwards. According to project manager Floris Veeger water flow is almost impossible in this rock. In addition, traces of gas have been found, which make a production test very complex. These factors led to the decision to leave the Triassic layer. The lower part of the pit has been closed off with concrete plugs. In the third section the casing perforations have been made through which the water can flow.
Triassic layer
The permeability of the Triassic layer is by far not sufficient to pump water upwards. According to project manager Floris Veeger water flow is almost impossible in this rock. In addition, traces of gas have been found, which make a production test very complex. These factors led to the decision to leave the Triassic layer. The lower part of the pit has been closed off with concrete plugs. In the third section the casing perforations have been made through which the water can flow.
Wealth of information
The drill core and measurements made in recent days have provided a lot of information about the ground below the Westland. With this information the plans to make energy in horticulture more sustainable can be made more concrete. The shareholders of HVC, Capturam and Royal FloraHolland are positive about the opportunities for the further use of heat from the Early Cretaceous layer. This offers good opportunities on the road to a gas free energy usage in Westland.
Production test
Trias Westland has now performed the production test in the Lower Cretaceous Reservoir. Water from a depth of 2.3 kilometers was pumped up. The test went very well. The hot water flowed very smoothly into the basin and the gas in the water was flared off. Samples have been taken and measurements have been made to determin , among other things, the pressure and temperature. With this information the project team can start with the realization of the heat network. The exact potential of the geothermal doublet will be known at the end of April, when the second well has been drilled and tested.
Research second well
Although Trias Westland would have loved to realized a Triassic project, the greenhouse horticulture companies and shareholders are positive about the possibilities offerd by the Lower Creatceous layer for the utilization of sustainable heat. Director Marco van Soerland: "Previous measurements had already shown that this layer is very permeable and the production test went very well. We estimate that we can connect about thirty companies to this geothermal doublet. In addition, Trias Westland will investigate the possibilities for a second geothermal source. Which companies will be the first to be connected, will be determined by the location of the companies and the number of customers in the neighborhood."