en.Wedoany.com Reported - OMV and Energie Steiermark have announced a joint geothermal project that could supply 50% of the heating demand for the city of Graz, Austria. The announcement is based on recent successful seismic survey activities and the completion of new contract negotiations for the proposed geothermal project. Exploration drilling is scheduled to begin by the end of 2026.

The "Tiefenkraft" project will be implemented by a joint development company, with OMV and Energie Steiermark holding 75% and 25% stakes, respectively. The first heat supply is expected to be achieved in 2030. The long-term goal is to provide up to 670 GWh of geothermal heating by 2037, equivalent to approximately 50% of Graz's heating demand. This progress marks the project getting back on track after disagreements between the partners and local government at the end of 2025.

Currently, seismic survey data is being analyzed, and the results will form the basis for detailed subsurface modeling, which is crucial for subsequent project planning. The next key step is exploration drilling, planned at "Petersdorf 2" in St. Marein near Graz, expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2026, with preparatory work beginning in September 2026.

The drilling and subsequent testing phase is expected to take approximately three to four months, providing key information on geothermal potential and geological conditions. A final investment decision on the overall project implementation, including the construction of all production and injection wells, pipeline laying to connect to the district heating network, and installation of surface facilities such as pump stations, will only be made after the completion of comprehensive testing. If test results are positive, the next round of investment will be used to construct the initial geothermal doublet and conduct full-scale testing. Meanwhile, plans call for drilling two additional wells to study the feasibility of an Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) system, which can store excess heat underground for seasonal use.

During this period, planning for the heating pipeline to Graz will also proceed in parallel. This approximately 20-kilometer-long district heating pipeline, with an investment of around 150 million euros for its construction and operation, will be independently managed by Energie Steiermark.