Research Focus
Drews et al. (2022): Impact of drilling problems on drilling rate.
Drews et al. (2025): Portfolio approach for hydrothermal heating projects.
Drews et al. (2025): Assessment criteria for hydrothermal heating projects.
GUI of EFECT tool (Ziebarth, 2025)
Mahmoodpour et al. (2025): Numerical investigation of back thrust formation in comparison to pore pressure and deformation styles in the North Alpine Foreland Basin (after Duschl & Drews, 2022 and Ortner et al. 2015).
Molar-Cruz et al. (2022): Hydrothermal potential in SE Germany.
Obermeier et al. (2025): Velocity-density relationships in the North Alpine Foreland Basin.
Obermeier et al. (2025): Vertical stress gradients at top Upper Jurassic in the North Alpine Foreland Basin.
Renoth et al. (2023): Global distribution of geothermal social acceptance studies.
Shatyrbayeva et al. (2023, 2024): Pore pressure measurements and log calibration.
Shatyrbayeva et al. (2023): Distribution of pore pressure indicators in the North Alpine Foreland Basin.
Data for subsurface mapping in the North Alpine Foreland Basin. Shapes from Bay. LfU (2025).
World Pressure Map as new addition to World Stress Map Project.
Our research focuses on geomechanics and structural geology, basin analysis and applied geophysics (reflection seismic, borehole geophysics), and techno-socio-economic aspects to minimize risks associated to the exploration, drilling and operational phases of geoenergy technologies such as deep geothermal energy, underground hydrogen storage and CO2-storage.
Hereby, we combine these disciplines (geomechanics & structural geology, basin analysis & applied geophysics) and integrate a variety of methods (data analysis, field work, laboratory measurements, modelling and numerical simulation) and data sources (geology, drilling and geophysics).
Approach & Novelty
- We structure, compile and investigate heterogeneous subsurface datasets to shed light on the regional distribution of sediment compaction & burial
- We integrate data from deep boreholes and seismic reflection data to map and model the structural and stratigraphic framework of the deeper subsurface
Key Results & Impact
- We unravel the geological evolution of sedimentary basins and the complex interplay between stress, pressure, fluid flow, basin evolution and temperature
- Our research enables us to assess storage capacities, leakage risks and regional-scale prediction of important input parameters for application-scale studies (e.g. seismic processing, reservoir modelling & simulation)
Ongoing Research Projects
Researchers
Michael Drews, Florian Duschl, Nabil Khalifa, Lena-Maria Able, Parisa Babaie, Marion Becouze, Valeria Tveritina
Approach & Novelty
- We bridge the gap between classical reservoir geomechanics and regional-scale geological characterization and modelling
- We combine datasets and disciplines from geology, geophysics and drilling from well to basin scale
Key Results & Impact
- We minimize drilling risk and cost for deep geothermal drilling in the North Alpine Foreland Basin
- We lead the initiation of a global quality ranked pore pressure magnitude database, which links geomechanical and geophysical properties in different geological settings
Ongoing Research Projects
BORIS, GeoChaNce, GAB, GoEffective, World Pressure Map, PHYSALIS
Researchers
Michael Drews, Florian Duschl, Saeed Mahmoodpour, Indira Shatyrbayeva, Malte Ziebarth, Moritz Ziegler, Julian Breitsameter
Approach & Novelty
- We combine subsurface knowledge with techno-economic concepts to assess and optimize resource management
- We relate our research results to safety, social acceptance and economics
Key Results & Impact
- We improve the safety and efficiency of deep geothermal drilling and provide key datasets and expert reviews for deep geothermal well planning
- We offer resource assessments, exploitation concepts and recommendations of action to accelerate the expansion of deep geothermal energy and other geoenergies
Ongoing Research Projects
Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria, SpeicherCHeck
Researchers