In line with this year's conference theme, the "Geosciences" track represents a mix of classical reservoir geology and future-oriented underground topics. A wide range of case studies on the heterogeneity of reservoir horizons will give us insights into the spatial distribution of reservoir quality and controlling parameters. Examples from outcrop and production wells, carbonate rocks and sandstones will be discussed. In addition, a new aspect will be highlighted, the reuse of depleted hydrocarbon fields for renewable energy technologies and how geoscientists apply their classical experience in this future sector.

In the session energy storage, the various aspects of storable chemical energy carriers, which can be produced synthetically from electricity, among other things, and can serve as a link between fluctuating generation and temporally and spatially variable demand, will be considered. For this purpose, various electrolysis systems are presented as a building block of a future energy system and also as a bridging technology for further material processing. A balance between the independently varying generation and demand will have to be created. Energy storage management models describe the associated energy and material flows and thus also provide a basis for determining the type and size of storage required. As part of the storage, large-volume underground storage facilities are suitable - especially for the storage of hydrogen. Aspects of microbial hydrogen utilization due to existing microorganisms will have to be clarified with regard to relevant effects for storage operation. Due to the high mobility of hydrogen, the continued integrity of storage wells must also be investigated and proven.

Traditionally, the topics of plant and occupational safety and environmental protection are presented in the HSE area. In the area of plant and occupational safety, concepts are presented which, on the one hand, demonstrate a methodology for enabling a working life without accidents in a complex working environment. Here, the individual tendencies of each employee and their resulting actions are considered. On the other hand, plant safety is analyzed in order to identify main hazards in advance and to initiate appropriate protective measures. The main maintenance of a natural gas processing plant and the protection concept required for it are presented against the background of the Corona pandemic. Sustainable practiced environmental protection is presented by the most modern treatment plant for oil-containing drilling cuttings and the resulting supply and logistics concept.

An arc is spanned from processes in the microscopic pore space, to the mechanical behaviour of faults in the hydrodynamic system of a reservoir, the application of tertiary production methods and the semi-automated optimisation of well production. The range of possible applications of modern visualization and analysis techniques in the laboratory, the numerical modeling of complex mechanical processes and the multiphase flow in complex reservoirs and wells shows the possibilities for a general increase in the efficiency of the resources used on the one hand and the reduction of environmental impact on the other. The reduced use of material and energy, the more efficient extraction of existing resources, the safety-relevant consideration of the tightness of reservoirs under mechanical stress, or the use and simultaneous storage of CO2 in reservoirs are increasingly the subject of discussion.

A central component of a successful energy turnaround is the heat turnaround, and a heat turnaround without geothermal energy is not possible - so far as that is known. But which components are necessary to efficiently develop geothermal reservoirs? This year's series of lectures on "Geothermal Energy" impressively demonstrates that technological progress for the energetic use of the geothermal subsurface can be accelerated especially by incorporating hydrocarbon expertise. Examples will be presented on this, whether on standards in well integrity, on the use of CO2 as a carrier medium for heat, or on innovative exploration methods.

Well integrity is rightly receiving increasing attention. As existing wells age, the need to monitor them and detect potential problems early increases. This allows vulnerabilities to be identified, risks to be assessed and countermeasures to be taken. One focus of this track is the metrological investigation of well barriers. In addition, the risk classification of injection wells is discussed against the background of country-specific regulations.

Be part of the first Geoenergy Exploration Game by the German Section of the SPE! This collaborative game builds on your engagement, your knowledge, and your discussions! Together with the other participants you have to identify geoenergy reservoirs, decide which play you want to explore, and tackle multiple challenges. This interdisciplinary and interactive sessions aims at students, YPs, and interested professionals.

Two lectures will deal with the issue of entrained substances, which usually have a negative impact on production as well as on the operation of well equipment and surface facilities. Solutions will be presented: in a test rig, different drilling and production conditions can be simulated in order to obtain a statement about the sand production, and in an oil field, tests will be carried out to eliminate or avoid asphaltene deposits in submersible centrifugal pumps. In the field of production engineering, an experimental approach is used to further develop rod-type deep well pumps and their systems, while a look at well integrity allows statements to be made about annulus seals caused by plastic formations in the area of non-cemented casing.

Underground natural gas storage facilities have been part of the infrastructure in Germany since the 1950s. Whereas at the beginning of storage, storage facilities were assumed to have a service life of around 25 years, many installations have now reached a much older age. For this reason, questions regarding the integrity of natural gas storage facilities have continuously gained in importance in recent years. This series of lectures will focus on the suitability of storage facilities for long-term and future-proof operation. The focus is first on the surface with the presentation of a geomonitoring system for the aboveground facility and supply security of cavern storage facilities using satellite and copter data, and moves from there to the subsurface with the description of a method for the environmentally sound i.e. brine-saving repair of a cavern storage facility in Denmark in the form of a coupled flooding and gas bursting process. Finally, the description of an integrity management system for storage wells is followed by an outlook on the long-term utilization perspectives of caverns in the context of the energy turnaround under the heading "Salt cavern turnaround".

The session for Drilling Technology will reflect a balanced approach between scientific- and practical industry case studies. DGMK’s own project of developing a hammer drill will provide an update of first experience with a prototype bit. With digitalization and machine learning on the rise throughout multiple industries, another study will be presented that compares algorithms to predict ROP’s. An unconventional, but promising idea reflecting collaboration of different operators and service companies will be discussed in a case study to see if this means a compromise to unlock valuable potential. The utilization of managed pressure drilling in a high pressure well including engineering and execution learnings will be presented in another case study.

Universities and industry are in a symbiotic relationship. The free economy is dependent on highly qualified specialists and it is not uncommon for companies to recruit their young scientists from cooperation projects with universities. In return, the attractiveness of the courses of study at the universities is often closely linked to the opportunities on the job market and the social reputation of the respective sectors. Especially the latter points pose challenges for study programmes with a focus on resource extraction in Germany and Europe. In this session, various disciplines will present their strategies for attracting and promoting young talent, and we will learn how the Corona pandemic may shape our future working lives.