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Lower Cretaceous Rijnland Group aquifers in the West Netherlands Basin: suitability for geothermal energy

This study aims at 3D modelling of the spatial distribution of porosity and permeability (transmissivity = net sand thickness · permeability) in the Lower Cretaceous Rijnland Group in the West Netherlands Basin with respect to the applicability for geothermal energy production. The modelling is based on the modelled 3D distribution of sand lithofacies (aquifers) and based on public well and seismic data originating from the DINO database at TNO Geological Survey of the Netherlands. Gamma ray logs were used to identify aquifer intervals in the Rijnland Group. Based on these logs, a 3D lithofacies model was made of the entire Rijnland Group interval, based on 50 stochastic realisations. Porosity logs were calculated using bulk density and neutron logs, and core plug measurements. The porosity logs were used to calculate a 3D porosity model based on 50 stochastic model realisations. Permeability logs were calculated using the linear relationship between porosity and the natural logarithm of permeability (lnK) in core plug measurements for each well and aquifer. Using the parameters of the linear relationship between porosity and permeability for each well, a 3D permeability model was generated based on 50 stochastic model realisations. The 3D model was used to produce transmissivity maps for the entire Rijnland Group interval in the West Netherlands Basin. Furthermore, maps of the expected net sand thickness and net porosity distribution were created.