Work starts on geothermal heating network in Kirchweidach-Halsbach, Germany

Well testing at the Kirchweidach-Halsbach geothermal project in Halsbach, Bavaria, Germany (source:Naturwärme Kirchweidach-Halsbach)

Carlo Cariaga 4 Apr 2024

Following the successful drilling of a production well and a subsequent reinjection well drilling, the geothermal project in Halsbach in Bavaria, Germany is now proceeding to the construction of the surface facilities. This includes the heating network and the heat transfer station near the wellheads.

The Kirchweidach-Halsbach geothermal project of Naturwärme Kirchweidach-Halsbach has had a long and interesting history. The initial drilling of the production well started in January 2023, but two sidetrack wells had to be drilled before commercially exploitable temperatures and flowrates were attained.

The measured drilling depth was 4750 meters at a total depth of 3050 meters.  Temperature of over 107 °C and a flow rate of over 100 liters/second was initially measured from the well.

Soon after the drilling of the production well was completed, the company proceeded to the drilling of the injection well in November 2023. Earlier this year, pumping tests were conducted on the production well which gave very encouraging results, indicating that the resource can supply the community of Kirchweidach, the greenhouses of Gemüsebau Steiner und BIOhof Kirchweidach, as well other communities and businesses in the district. Dismantling of the drilling rig then commenced by February 2024.

With work on the heating network now starting, there are also talks of extending the geothermal heating service to the nearby town of Burghausen. Mayor Florian Schneider has stated that he is in contact with the geothermal heating company and that a study had been commissioned on how such a heating scheme can be done. More concrete results from the study are expected to be available before the end of the year.

Source: InnSalzach24 and Naturwärme Kirchweidach-Halsbach