"Geo-Energy Systems and Subsurface Technologies - Key Elements towards a Low Carbon World" ...Physical, Personal and Network Friendly - Spring 2022 Conference back in Celle.

After a 2-year (involuntary) break, more than 500 experts from industry and science met again on June 15 and 16, 2022 at the Congress Union Celle under the motto "Geo-Energy Systems and Subsurface Technologies - Key Elements towards a Low Carbon World" for the DGMK/ÖGEW Spring Conference. The latest findings from research and development in the fields of geosciences and engineering were presented in 55 lectures and on 25 posters.

New and old familiar faces among the participants as well as among the exhibitors were pleased about the lively exchange of discussions on the classic and new lecture topics. The Drilling Integrity session, now in its second year, received great attention as well as the H2 Underground Storage workshop , which was on the Spring Meeting program for the first time.

This year's Georg Hunaeus Award for Outstanding Achievement by Young Investigators was presented at the Spring Meeting to Dr. Dwi Amanda Utami of the Geotechnology Research Center, National Research and Innovation Agency. She received the award for her work on facies modeling in equatorial carbonate systems. Of particular note is her seminal work on microplastic distribution in modern reef sediments, in which Dr. Utami called attention to the danger (e.g., coral die-off) of anthropogenic pollution in nearshore sedimentary environments.

The conference participants enjoyed three captivating plenary lectures. Prof. Rolf Bracke from Fraunhofer IEG showed the potential that geothermal energy offers for the national heating sector. Ulrike Schopp from ipieca, gave a compelling presentation on the global challenge of achieving climate goals and Dr. Timm Kehler, from Zukunft Gas e.V., showed the future role that natural gas can play in Germany.

The "Youngtimer Garage", organized by the German Section of the SPE and aimed at the younger audience of the conference, was also present this year with an exciting program. Among other things, there was a lively discussion about the role CCS can (and should?) play in the energy transition.

The 1st day of the event was rounded off with the keynote speech by Axel Weiß, from ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH, who reported on the sour gas treatment plant in Großenkneten, which has been in operation for 50 years.

The DGMK/ÖGEW Spring Conference in pictures

Our photographer Julia Stübner captured the conference in pictures, her impressions in the video: