Publications
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Underlined names are links to current or past GEG members
REFEREED PUBLICATIONS IN JOURNALS
14.
Asnin, S.N., M. Nnko, S. Josephat, A. Mahecha, E. Mshiu, G. Bertotti, and M. Brehme, Identification of water-rock interaction of surface thermal water in Songwe medium temperature geothermal area, Tanzania, Environmental Earth Sciences, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10594-4
13.
Suherlina, L., J. Newson, Y. Kamah, and M. Brehme, The Dynamic Evolution of the Lahendong Geothermal System in North-Sulawesi, Indonesia. , Geothermics , 105, pp. 1-19, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2022.102510 [View Abstract]This study uses an integrated approach to characterize the dynamic evolution of the power-
producing high-enthalpy geothermal system of Lahendong, North-Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Lahendong has two primary reservoirs, the southern and the northern, which have been utilised
for electricity production for more than twenty years. The main focus of this study is the
characterisation of heat and mass flows in the system with respect to geological structures and
permeability distribution. Also, it delineates how the geothermal system has evolved and the
spatial variation of the response resulting from prolonged utilization of the reservoirs.
This research implemented geological structure analysis on recent surface fault mapping and
pre-existing fault studies from literature. Further, the study analysed well data comprising well
pressure, enthalpy, drilling program reviews and tracer tests. Hydrochemical investigation
compiled new and old surface and subsurface hydrochemical evolution in both the temporal
and spatial domain.
The results confirm several trends of faults in the study area: NE-SW and NW-SE are the major
striking directions, while E-W and N-S are less dominant. The most apparent trends are NE-
SW striking strike-slip faults, perpendicular NW-SE thrust faults and N-S and E-W striking
normal faults. The faults compartmentalize the reservoir. A comparison of the southern and the
northern reservoir shows that the south is more structurally controlled by faults; both reservoirs
rely on fractures as permeability provider and are controlled by shallow hydrogeology, derived
from the integrated analysis of transient well data.
Geochemical analysis shows that the reservoir fluids have generally higher Electrical
Conductivity and closer to fluid-rock equilibrium, probably due to boiling. Spring waters have
generally become more acidic, which is an expected result of reservoir boiling and increased
steam input to near-surface waters. The spatial distribution of changes shows permeability
evolution over time and also the role of structural permeability in response to changing reservoir
conditions.
Observing and recording reservoir data is highly important to understand the reservoir response
to production and ensure the long-term sustainability of the system. Additionally, the data is
critical for making a major difference in the reservoir management strategy.
12.
Marko, A., J. Madl-Szonyi, and M. Brehme, Injection related issues of a doublet system in a sandstone aquifer-A generalized concept to understand and avoid problem sources in geothermal systems, Geothermics, 97/102234, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2021.102234
11.
Martens, S., M. Brehme, V. Bruckman, C. Juhlin, J. Miocic, A.P. Rinaldi, and M. Kühn, Preface: Special issue from the Division on Energy, Resources and the Environment at EGU2020: Sharing geoscience online, Advances in Geosciences, 54, pp. 1-5, 2020. https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-54-1-2020
10.
Brehme, M., K. Nowak, D. Banks, S. Petrauskas, R. Valickas, K. Bauer, N. Burnside, and A. Boyce, A Review of the Hydrochemistry of a Deep Sedimentary Aquifer and its Consequences for Geothermal Operation – Klaipeda, Lithuania, Geofluids, 2019, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4363592
9.
Brehme, M., Geothermal sweetspots identified in a volcanic lake integrating bathymetry and fluid chemistry, Scientific Reports Nature Research, pp. 1-10, 2019. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-52638-z [View Abstract]We investigate fluid pathways beneath volcanic lakes using bathymetry and geochemical measurements to locate best-possible drilling sites. Highly permeable structures, such as faults, provide fluid channels that are the most suitable access points to the geothermal resource. Accurate mapping of these structures therefore guides the successful targeting of wells. Lakes, rivers or ocean, can hide surface footprints of these permeable structures, such as in our case beneath Lake Linau. High-resolution bathymetry identifies linear and conical discontinuities, which are linked to offshore tectonic structures as confirmed by surrounding outcrops and hot springs. Geochemical measurements document inflow of hot saline acidic water into the lake verifying bathymetry-located highly permeable structures. Integrating onshore well data, our bathymetry and chemical results locates an ideal drilling site into the geothermal reservoir beneath the western shore line of Lake Linau.
8.
Brehme, M., R. Giese, L. Suherlina, and Y. Kamah, Geothermal sweetspots identified in a volcanic lake integrating bathymetry and fluid chemistry, Nature Scientific Reports, 9/16153, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-52638-z
7.
Brehme, M, S Regensburg, P Leary, F Bulut, H Milsch, S Petrauskas, R Valickas, and G Blöcher, Injection-triggered occlusion of flow pathways in geothermal operations, Geofluids, 2018, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4694829
6.
Brehme, M., K. Bauer, M. Nukman, and S. Regensburg, Self-organizing maps in geothermal exploration – A new approach for understanding geochemical processes and fluid evolution, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 336, pp. 19-32, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2017.01.013
5.
Brehme, M., M.G. Blöcher, M. Cacace, Y. Kamah, G. Zimmermann, and M. Sauter, Permeability distribution in the Lahendong geothermal field: A blind fault captured by thermal–hydraulic simulation, Environmental Earth Sciences, 75/1088, pp. 1-11, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-5878-9
4.
Brehme, M., F. Deon, C. Haase, B. Wiegand, Y. Kamah, M. Sauter, and S. Regensburg, Fault controlled geochemical properties in Lahendong geothermal reservoir Indonesia, Grundwasser, 21/1, pp. 29-41, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00767-015-0313-9
3.
Deon, F., H.J. Förster, M. Brehme, B. Wiegand, T. Scheytt, I. Moeck, M.S. Jaya, and D.J. Putriatni, Geochemical/hydrochemical evaluation of the geothermal potential of the Lamongan volcanic field (Eastern Java, Indonesia), Geothermal Energy, 3/20, pp. 1-21, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-015-0040-6
2.
Brehme, M., I. Moeck, Y. Kamah, G. Zimmermann, and M. Sauter, A hydrotectonic model of a geothermal reservoir – A study in Lahendong, Indonesia, Geothermics, 51, pp. 228-239, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2014.01.010
1.
Brehme, M., T. Scheytt, U.E. Dokuz, and M. Celik, Hydrochemical characterization of ground and surface water at Dörtyol/Hatay/Turkey, Environmental Earth Sciences, 63/6, pp. 1395-1408, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0810-1
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PROCEEDINGS REFEREED
11.
10.
Gomez-Diaz, E., A. Balza Morales, M. Brehme, P. Kukla, and F. Wagner, Geothermal potential in the Rhine-Ruhr region - Integration of structural analysis and a preliminary magnetotelluric feasibility study , European Geothermal Congress 2022, 2022.
9.
Hau, K.P., F. Games, R. Lathion, M. Brehme, and M.O. Saar, On the feasibility of producing geothermal energy at an intended CO2 sequestration field site in Switzerland, European Geothermal Congress 2022, 2022. [Download PDF] [View Abstract]The global climate crisis is caused by the increasing concentration of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere. Carbon, Capture, and Storage (CCS) has been
identified as a key technology towards reaching a climate-neutral society. So far,
however, the widespread, large-scale deployment of CCS has been prevented,
among other things, by its uneconomical nature. (Zapantis et al., 2019).
To increase the economic efficiency of CCS, the stored CO2 could additionally be
used as a circulating fluid for geothermal power production, turning CCS into
simultaneous Carbon, Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS). The concept of
CO2-Plume Geothermal (CPG) for permanently isolating and using CO2 at the
same time was first introduced by Randolph and Saar in 2011. So far CPG has
not been tested at the field scale.
This study aims at demonstrating the feasibility of CPG for a site in Western
Switzerland. First, the study conceptually investigates the CPG power capacity
at the study site. Next, a conceptual 3D model is created using an interpreted
seismic anticline structure in the Triassic sediments of the Swiss Molasse Basin.
We conduct multi-phase fluid flow simulations based on the conceptual geologic
model to simulate realistic CO2 circulation. Injection and production rates for
multiple well configurations are assessed to calculate the expected geothermal
energy production.
The obtained results will provide an assessment of the general site suitability and
storage capacity for long-term CCUS. Also, these results will enable an
estimation of the CPG potential and geothermal power output of the site.
8.
Brehme, M., A. Marko, M. Osvald, G. Zimmermann, W. Weinzierl, S. Aldaz, S. Thiem, and E. Huenges, The success of soft stimulation: thermal, hydraulic and chemical parameters before and after stimulation at the Mezőberény site, European Geothermal Congress 2022, 2022. [View Abstract]This study describes the geothermal system in Mezőberény (Hungary) and on-site activities done within the DESTRESS project. The major challenge at the site was a poor injectivity, observed after a certain time of operation of the geothermal system. First, an evaluation of all available data of the site and the wells in the vicinity of the location has been conducted. After that, a well-logging and stimulation program was designed. The logging aimed to study a possible filling of the well with e.g. sands from the reservoir, corrosion or precipitation products, which would reduce the injectivity. A cleaning and circulation of fluids in the well was done to test the well integrity performance. The first operational phase was complemented by a thermal stimulation using cold water injection. In the second phase, we performed a chemical soft stimulation using a coiled tubing unit to inject the chemicals as close as possible to the target horizons. Lift tests before and after the injection of the chemicals and a final injection test were conducted to compare the results with the findings of the first operational phase.
Results of this study are 1) Insights into chemical, physical, and biological processes as possible injection problems based on given and new data; 2) A summary of the estimation of well integrity based on the operational experiences, tests, and logging data; and 3) An evaluation of the hydraulic properties of the system based on all test data. General conclusions are given on further development of the site.
7.
Suherlina, L., D. Bruhn, M.O. Saar, Y. Kamah, and M. Brehme, Updated Geological and Structural Conceptual Model in High Temperature Geothermal Field, European Geothermal Congress 2022, 2022.
6.
Kottsova, A., D. Bruhn, M.O. Saar, and M. Brehme, Clogging mechanisms in geothermal operations: theoretical examples and an applied study, European Geothermal Congress 2022, (in press).
5.
Marko, A., M. Toth, M. Brehme, and J. Madl-Szonyi, Assessing reinjection potential of abandoned hydrocarbon wells in the Zala region (SW Hungary) through hydraulic evaluation, European Geothermal Congress 2022, (in press).
4.
Huenges, E., J. Ellis, S. Welter, R. Westaway, K. Min, A. Genter, M. Brehme, H. Hofmann, P. Meier, B. Wassing, and M. Marti, Demonstration of soft stimulation treatments in geothermal reservoirs, Proceedings World Geothermal Congress 2021, 2021.
3.
Suherlina, L., M. Brehme, J. Newson, Y. Kamah, I.M. Galeczka, and A. Wibowo, Characterizing reservoir dynamics using hydrochemical and structural-geological data in a high-enthalpy geothermal system, Indonesia, Proceedings World Geothermal Congress 2021, 2021.
2.
Marko, A., A. Galsa, B. Czauner-Zentai, M. Brehme, and J. Madl-Szonyi, Geothermal Reinjection Problems from a Basin-scale Hydrogeological Perspective, Proceedings World Geothermal Congress 2021, 2021.
1.
Brehme, M., K. Nowak, A. Marko, S. Istvan, C. Willems, and E. Huenges, Injection triggered occlusion of flow pathways in a sedimentary aquifer in Hungary, Proceedings World Geothermal Congress 2021, 2021.
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PROCEEDINGS NON-REFEREED
2.
1.
Asnin, S N, M Nnko, S Josephat, A Mahecha, E Mshiu, G Bertotti, and M Brehme, Fluid Flow Modeling using Geochemistry to Characterize the Songwe Medium Temperature Geothermal -Tanzania, EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts , EGU21-9766, 2021.
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THESES
1.
Brehme, M., The role of fault zones on structure, operation and prospects of geothermal reservoirs-A case study in Lahendong, Indonesia, Dissertation, 2015.