INSPIRE: Unconventional hydrocarbons (non-conventional KW)

Non-conventional KW (INSPIRE) presents the results of the NiKo project according to data specifications Energy Resources (D2.8.III.20) and Geology (D2.8.II.4_v3.0). Niko stands for “unconventional hydrocarbons”, “non-conventional hydrocarbons” in German. In the NiKo project the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) has investigated the potential resources for shale oil and shale gas in Germany. The study was published in 2016 as a report titled “Slate oil and shale gas in Germany — resources and environmental aspects” (available in German only). The Colloquial terms shale oil and shale gas refer to oil and natural gas resources in sedimentary shale rock formations, with high organic matter content. In the study, seven formations were identified to have a shale oil and/or gas potential in Germany and their distribution has been mapped in small scale. For each of the formations the organic-rich facies distribution is provided and, if appropriate, the regional potential resource distribution: Fish slate (Oligocene), leaf tones (Barremium — Lower-Aptian), Wealden (Berriasium), Posidonia slate (Lower-Toarcium), Middel-Rhaetium (upper keuper), Permocarbon (Stefanium — Rotlieged) and Lower Carboniferous (Upper alum shale + coal scale facies). Corresponding to the overview maps in the report two GML-files for these layers are provided, omitting but the sub-category “possible potential regions”. Bituminous facies distribution (0-5 000 m depth) — data specification Geology: GeologicUnit.Distribution_of_bituminous_facies.gml Distribution shale oil and shale gas — potential resources (1000-5 000 m depth) — data specification Energy Resources: FossilFuelResource_Potential_resource_regions.gml The distribution maps of the potential resources for shale oil and gas are based on Geoscientific criteria. Further non-Geoscientific limiting criteria, e.g. exclusion areas, have not been taken into account for the assessment. These assessments are based on appraisements of input parameters naturally with large uncertainties for the potential resources and their distribution in the deep underground. Based on the incipient exploration status of Unconventionals in Germany, these resources are considered as undiscovered. The assessed shale oil and gas resources for Germany, represent the order of magnitude of potential resources. Reference: BGR 2016 — Slate oil and shale oil in Germany — Potentials and environmental aspects https://www.bgr.bund.de/DE/Themen/Energie/Downloads/Abschlussbericht_13MB_Schieferoelgaspotenzial_Deutschland_2016.html