IMAGE-D6.01: Catalogues and European models

In geothermal exploration we need multiscale-multiphysics models integrating geophysics, geology and geochemistry to predict temperature, permeability, stress, and seismogenic response prior to drilling. In IMAGE a best-practice workflow will be developed and tested. The workflow consists of a multiscale approach from lithosphere to local scales, taking into account relevant data and models. 

This document provides an outline of reference physics-based models, and underlying properties, compositional reference models, boundary conditions and observational data constraints at EU scale for thermal and mechanical characterization. 

Evidently the multi-physics approach at EU scale, is – in principle – not different from simulating processes active at regional to site scale. Local model refinement is generally targeted at improving robustness through more detail in the modelled processes as well as better constraints in model parameters and properties. 

At the EU scale (but also more local scales) we use a lithological interpretation approach to drive properties. This means we first interpret in a layered geometry the lithological composition (or lithofacies) and from there derive the relevant properties for that particular lithology based on databases and catalogues which hold in general for that particular lithology. For this reason we define jointly with the modelling approach, in what way a lithological interpretation can be translated to relevant properties that characterize a geometrically well-defined model unit. 

For more local scale models, as the regional and local scale models defined for IMAGE, direct measurements of physical properties may exist from within the volume of such a geological unit. In this case, it is advisable to use this direct information together with sophisticated (physical and empirical) laws to populate accordingly the entire geological unit.