The Terra Invader 350 InnovaRig, which had already completed a geothermal energy job in Bavaria, once again proved its efficiency as part of the ‘GeneSys’ research project in Hanover. Final depth was successfully reached at 3,902 meters.

The aim of the drilling operations was not only to reach the necessary drilling depth quickly, but also to provide comprehensive experimental results about the sediment formations typical of the North German Basin. The InnovaRig, designed for both research and industrial drilling, has special measurement and analysis equipment installed in it. Drill cores can be extracted to determine the structure of the sediments. Artificial tremors can also be triggered in the drill hole to measure the dissipation of pressure and sound waves.

Moreover, the single drill hole concept was applied in practice in Hanover for the first time in the world. In contrast to the usual twin drill hole method, the hot water is extracted and the cooled water is returned in the same well, at different depths. The advantage is that drilling costs are halved.

Track record

Project: ‘GeneSys’, Hanover, Germany
Machine type: Terra Invader 350
Final drilling depth: 3,902m
Drill hole diameter: 23’’ to 8½’’
Geology: Cretaceous, jurassic, tertiary
Purpose: Geothermal energy

Operator: German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR)