Transforming abandoned wells for geothermal energy production

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Date of latest update: 2026-07-01

Description

Description (EN):

Large amounts of oil and gas were produced in Central Europe from thousands of deep wells, but after decades of production many of the hydrocarbon wells are abandoned or must soon be abandoned. The declining hydrocarbon industry leaves behind an enormous infrastructure and thousands of highly skilled workers, especially in rural areas facing multiple economic and social challenges. Instead of abandoning unused wells, they can be used for geothermal energy production and heat storage to support local communities and industries in the energy transition. However, this potential is largely underutilised due to economic uncertainties and non-technical barriers. The overall objective of TRANSGEO is to enable a structural change from a fossil-fuel producing hydrocarbon industry towards sustainable green energy provision from geothermal energy sources within Central Europe with focus on rural areas. Our approach of applying established geothermal technologies and workflows to the conditions of existing hydrocarbon infrastructure and matching it with local energy demand and heating networks is highly innovative. The main outputs include a transnational well repurpose potential assessment, site-specific feasibility studies, validated well repurpose methodologies, a web-based tool for assessment of well repurpose potential, and a transnational strategy and action plan. The uptake of these outputs will be ensured by a Cooperation Agreement for long-term support of well repurposing in Central Europe. Transnational cooperation is indispensable because of the following reasons: (i) technological, legislative, economic and social challenges related to structural change and heat transition are very similar in the considered regions; (ii) competences and expertise of project partners operating in science, industry, regional development and regulation in different countries are essential for the development of joint novel solutions for well repurposing.

Actual Achievements (EN):

During its first year, the TRANSGEO project made significant progress to accelerate reuse of abandoned hydrocarbon wells for geothermal energy production. The project team created a database infrastructure to hold information from all the deep wells in the TRANSGEO countries (Austria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, and Slovenia) and began building an online tool that will match users’ specific needs to candidate wells in their regions of interest. Engineering workflows have been researched and are being drafted for practical application of a variety of geothermal reuse technologies, from systems that use hot water from deep aquifers for electricity generation to borehole systems that can supply heat to small localised applications such as greenhouses or thermal spas. The team delivered 3 reports on socio-economic and policy analyses containing information to guide future geothermal development projects in choosing the most suitable options for well reuse. The Partners have worked together continuously in online and in-person meetings to make progress and support each other. The composition of the Partnership is highly effective, with complementary academic, corporate, and public expertise that works successfully toward the completion of the diverse technical and strategic tasks. Communication within the partnership has been extensive and beneficial to learn from each other and determine together the optimal workflows, while external communication has focused on presentations at relevant events as well as individual engagement with stakeholders, resulting in a contact list of over 200 people interested in well reuse. Team members have begun discussions with companies, municipalities, and others about potential new geothermal development projects, with the goal that developers would use TRANSGEO information and tools to inform their projects and decrease their technical and financial risk. During its first 2 years, the TRANSGEO project has made significant progress to accelerate reuse of abandoned hydrocarbon wells for geothermal energy production in Central Europe. The project team created and populated a database infrastructure for deep well data in the 5 TRANSGEO countries (Austria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, and Slovenia) and built a beta online well assessment tool that will provide a first check of the suitability of existing hydrocarbon wells for geothermal heat production or thermal storage. The online tool has gone through extensive internal testing by Partners, leading to multiple rounds of improvement and enhancement of the logic for using the underlying database. Engineering workflows have been published for practical application of 5 geothermal reuse technologies, from systems that use hot water from deep aquifers for electricity generation to borehole systems that can supply heat for small or localised needs such as for greenhouses or thermal spas. The team also delivered and promoted 4 socio-economic and policy analyses containing information to guide policy improvement at national and European levels as well as future well reuse projects for municipalities, agriculture, and industry. Activity in the 2nd year focused on a Transnational Strategy of priorities and barriers to overcome in promoting well reuse, feasibility studies to inform new geothermal development in 8 existing hydrocarbon wells, and an initial assessment of the wells that have optimal reuse potential in the 5 TRANSGEO countries. The Partners have worked together continuously in online and in-person meetings to make progress and support each other. The composition of the Partnership is effective, with complementary academic, corporate, and public expertise across the project countries that works successfully toward the completion of the diverse technical and strategic tasks. Partners review and improve each other’s work, with an understanding of the different legal and social situations across countries. Communication within the Partnership has been extensive and beneficial to learn from each other and determine together the optimal workflows, while Work Package and Activity leads have eagerly taken on their leadership requirements, calling meetings on a regular basis, setting deadlines, and providing early drafts of reports and deliverables which showed the way for the other writing Partners. External communication has focused on presentations at relevant events as well as individual engagement with stakeholders. Team members are undertaking discussions with companies, municipalities, decision makers, and others about potential new geothermal development projects and changes to policy that would remove barriers to well reuse, with the goal that developers can use TRANSGEO information and tools and benefit, in the longer term, from improved legislation and financial incentives, to inform their projects and decrease their technical, legal, social, and financial risk. Our Stakeholder list grew to over 400 contacts, and communication via our LinkedIn account (which currently has over 240 followers) and the website was increasingly active. Our Twitter/X account was closed. The Partnership hosted a very successful stakeholder engagement webinar in February 2025 that was attended by over 100 people, and a filmmaker was hired to make the TRANSGEO project video. He attended the meetings and field site visits in Hungary in April 2025 for filming geothermal wells and interviewing project scientists, and the final video will be published in winter 2025-26. Looking toward Year 3, the Partners have been actively planning many stakeholder engagement workshops and events, with numerous calls and meetings to determine locations, dates, agendas, and invitation lists for these events. We look forward to increasing engagement with our stakeholder community and setting the stage for post-project action. The well assessment tool, which will be moved to its final online location in spring 2025, will be the focus of a webinar in fall 2025 to gather stakeholder input into this important project output. In addition, the database and well assessment results will be the topic of 5 other stakeholder engagement workshops and events during the second half of 2025. A webinar will also be held to receive input to the Transnational Strategy, and stakeholders are being engaged to identify those who should formally support both the Strategy and the Action Plan at the end of the project. Planning is underway to work with others on new geothermal projects as well as potential TRANSGEO follow-on activities. N/A

Project outputs: Validated and optimised well reuse procedures(EN)
Validated and optimised well assessment tool(EN)
Site-specific feasibility studies of well assessment and repurposing(EN)
Transnational well repurpose potential assessment(EN)
Transnational strategy for the transition of fossil fuel producing regions to sustainable growth through the use of geothermal energy(EN)
Transnational action plan for the transition of fossil fuel producing regions to sustainable growth through the use of geothermal energy(EN)
Cooperating institutions supporting the transition of fossil fuel producing regions to sustainable growth through the use of geothermal energy in Central Europe(EN)

Thematic information

Renewable energy

Priority: (VI-B_CE_2) Cooperating for a greener central Europe

Priority specific objective: RSO2.1. Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 052 Other renewable energy (including geothermal energy)

Partners (10)

Lead Partner: Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam Deutshces GeoForschungsZentrum

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999994341

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE138407750

Department: Department Geosystems, Section Geoenergy

Address: Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany

Department address: Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.gfz-potsdam.de

Total budget: EUR 588 307.97

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 470 646.37

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 117 661.60

Lokalna energetska agencija za Pomurje

Name: Lokalna energetska agencija za Pomurje

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 938344342

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI88018822

Address: Martjanci, 9221 Martjanci, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.lea-pomurje.si

Total budget: EUR 254 797.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 203 837.76

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 50 959.44

Sveučilište u Zagrebu Rudarsko-geološko-naftni fakultet

Name: Sveučilište u Zagrebu Rudarsko-geološko-naftni fakultet

Department: Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering and Energy

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 998157258

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR99534693762

Address: Pierottijeva, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Department address: Pierottijeva, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.rgn.unizg.hr/en/

Total budget: EUR 203 464.21

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 162 771.36

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 40 692.85

Međimurska energetska agencija d.o.o.

Name: Međimurska energetska agencija d.o.o.

Department: Međimurska energetska agencija, društvo s ograničenom odgovornošću za promicanje i unapređenje poslova vezanih uz obnovljive izvore energije i energetsku učinkovitost u Međimurskoj županiji

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 909754659

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR78619083316

Address: Bana Josipa Jelačića, 40000 Čakovec, Croatia

Department address: Bana Josipa Jelačića, 40000 Čakovec, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.menea.hr

Total budget: EUR 227 026.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 181 621.44

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 45 405.36

Bányavagyon-hasznosító Nonprofit Közhasznú Kft.

Name: Bányavagyon-hasznosító Nonprofit Közhasznú Kft.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU22143200

Address: Tartsay Vilmos utca, 1126 Budapest, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Enterprise, except SME

Website: http://www.bvh.hu

Total budget: EUR 49 980.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 39 984.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 9 996.00

Pécsi Tudományegyetem

Name: Pécsi Tudományegyetem

Department: N/A

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999889872

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU19308681

Address: Vasvári P u, 7622 Pécs, Hungary

Department address: Vasvári P u, 7622 Pécs, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://international.pte.hu/

Total budget: EUR 240 786.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 192 628.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 48 157.20

CROST Területfejlesztési Nonprofit Kft.

Name: CROST Területfejlesztési Nonprofit Kft.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU26555029

Address: Rákóczi u., 7621 Pécs, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.crost.hu

Total budget: EUR 276 458.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 221 166.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 55 291.60

Greenwell Energy GmbH

Name: Greenwell Energy GmbH

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ATU73849419 | 497247x | Corporate register number (EN)

Address: Kellerberggasse, 1230 Vienna, Austria

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: https://www.greenwell.energy/

Total budget: EUR 109 194.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 87 355.52

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 21 838.88

GeoSphere Austria

Name: GeoSphere Austria

Department: Department of Hydrogeology & Geothermal Energy

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 889336644

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ATU40330600

Address: Neulinggasse, 1030 Wien, Austria

Department address: Neulinggasse, 1030 Wien, Austria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.geosphere.at/

Total budget: EUR 304 995.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 243 996.48

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 60 999.12

Landesamt für Bergbau, Geologie und Rohstoffe Brandenburg

Name: Landesamt für Bergbau, Geologie und Rohstoffe Brandenburg

Department: Geological Survey

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 923483942

Address: Inselstraße, 03046 Cottbus, Germany

Department address: Inselstraße, 03046 Cottbus, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://lbgr.brandenburg.de/lbgr/de/

Total budget: EUR 304 400.62

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 243 520.49

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 60 880.13

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Local Energy Agency Pomurje

Transforming abandoned wells for geothermal energy production

Partners and Projects info

University of Zagreb - Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering

Transforming abandoned wells for geothermal energy production

Partners and Projects info

Medjimurje Energy Agency Ltd.

Transforming abandoned wells for geothermal energy production

Partners and Projects info

Mining Property Utilization Nonprofit Public Ltd

Transforming abandoned wells for geothermal energy production

Partners and Projects info

Pécsi Tudományegyetem

Transforming abandoned wells for geothermal energy production

Partners and Projects info

CROST Regional Development Nonprofit Ltd.

Transforming abandoned wells for geothermal energy production

Partners and Projects info

Greenwell Energy GmbH

Transforming abandoned wells for geothermal energy production

Partners and Projects info

GeoSphere Austria

Transforming abandoned wells for geothermal energy production

Partners and Projects info

State Office for Mining, Geology and Raw Material of Brandenburg (LBGR)

Transforming abandoned wells for geothermal energy production

Partners and Projects info

Helmholtz-Centre Potsdam German Research Centre for Geosciences

Transforming abandoned wells for geothermal energy production

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Transforming abandoned wells for geothermal energy production

Project acronym: TRANSGEO

Project ID: CE0100071

Project start date: 2023-05-01

Project end date: 2026-04-30

Project status: closed

Relevant linked projects:

DGE-ROLLOUT - Roll-out of Deep Geothermal Energy in NWE (Interreg North-West Europe) (EN) | While TRANSGEO facilitates the use of existing infrastructure for geothermal energy production and heat storage in Central Europe, DGE-ROLLOUT facilitates the development of new deep geothermal energy drilling projects in North-West Europe. TRANSGEO builds upon the experiences of DGE-ROLLOUT related to geothermal energy provision for district heating pilot projects TRUDI and Balmatt and the economic and environmental evaluation support schemes. Coordination of synergies is achieved by a close contact with the DGE-ROLLOUT project lead Geological Survey of NRW through an associated partnership in TRANSGEO. (EN), ENES-CE - Innovative energy strategies developed and implemented, through a revision of existing energy plans (Interreg Central Europe) (EN) | The project ENES-CE encourages investments in renewable energy sources and emphasises the importance of establishing a planning process through enactment of innovative strategies and plans providing sustainable regional development with the involvement of citizens and public bodies and promotion of renewable energy use on a regional level. MENEA as partner in the ENES-CE project will transfer the mentioned experiences while implementing TRANSGEO project activities. (EN), MEET - Multi-sites EGS Demonstration (Horizon 2020) (EN) | The MEET Project (Multidisciplinary and multi-context demonstration of Enhanced Geothermal Systems exploration and Exploitation Techniques and potentials) aims at boosting the development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) across Europe in various geological contexts (sedimentary, volcanic, metamorphic and crystalline) by different means. TRANSGEO builds upon the EGS technologies demonstrated in MEET and the decision-making tool (to target most promising sites for near future EGS capacity installation) developed in MEET for repurposing existing wells for EGS development. That is, demonstrated technologies are adapted to repurposing existing wells. As project partner in MEET and lead partner of TRANSGEO, GFZ ensures the immediate uptake of MEET results in TRANSGEO. (EN), ATES iQ - Geothermal use of the carbonate rocks in the North German Basin (German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy) (EN) | GFZ is lead partner in the project ATES iQ, where the suitability of the Muschelkalk limestone formation in the North German Basin for geothermal use is evaluated and concepts for the exploration, development and operation of heat storage systems are developed and demonstrated. TRANSGEO builds upon the technological know-how and applies it to evaluate the reuse potential of abandoned wells for Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES). (EN), SKEWS - Seasonal Borehole Thermal Energy Storage in a Crystalline Reservoir (German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy) (EN) | In SKEWS four 750 m deep wells will be drilled to demonstrate the viability of Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) for seasonal and daily storage of heat in conjunction with time dependent change in supply and demand of heat. The four BTES wells will be operated for 1.5 years to prove the operational capability of such systems and to determine the operating and dimensioning routines for the future. Through GFZ’s head of Section 4.8 Geoenergie, who is Professor at TU Darmstadt and who leads this project, direct access to the SKEWS results is ensured. This will greatly benefit the development of evaluation routines for repurposing deep wells as BTES. (EN), CEESEU - Central and Eastern European Sustainable Energy Union (Horizon2020) (EN) | CEESEU emphasises the importance of setting up planning principles in order to engage local authorities to jointly address the key elements of regional transition to carbon neutrality through better exploitation of renewables and energy efficiency. MENEA will share gained experience from the CEESEU project as part of the TRANSGEO partnership which will build up on the more specific area of geothermal energy exploitation whose usefulness should be further emphasised in the energy mix of targeted regions. (EN), InnoGeoPot - Innovative exploration methods for geothermal potential assessment (Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and Croatian Science Foundation) (EN) | The InnoGeoPot project focuses on medium deep Borehole Heat Exchangers (BHEs), well revitalization and regional groundwater circulation systems. It addresses drilling of medium deep BHE (ca 300m or more) and technoeconomic analysis of extraction rates versus classical depths (ca 100m). UNIZG will share knowledge gained and modelling approaches developed in the InnoGeoPot project with TRANSGEO. The project also develops a decision making tool for selecting geothermal resources, hence synergies with A1.3 and A1.4 are foreseen. (EN), ThermoBase (BGE): Thermal data for the assessment of sedimentary sub-areas in Germany: Assesment of the temperature field of North German Basin and collection of new thermal data (EN) | The recent temperature field modelled and the data on temperature measurements from wells can be included in the assessment of repurposing potential (Activity A2.1). (EN), PUSH-IT (Horizon Europe): Piloting Underground seasonal heat storage in geothermal reservoirs (EN) | PUSH-IT foresees three pilot sites for underground heat storage. Technologies used will be ATES and BTES, which are also considered in TRANSGEO. The project will analyse also legal and social frameworks and investigate different business models. With regard to these aspects, TRANSGEO wil benefit from the lessons learned at the pilot sites in PUSH-IT. (EN), SI-Geo-Electricity (EEA Grants and corresponding Slovenian contribution): Pilot Geothermal Power Plant on an Existing Gas Well Pg-8, pilot project (EN) | The pilot project SI-Geo-Electricity serves as a demonstration project showcasing good practice and promotes increased use of geothermal energy. It is based on the use of a completely new method of electricity generation with a geothermal gravity heat pipe (Slovenian patent). TRANSGEO will include lessons learned from the project in the analysis of Borehole Heat Exchangers leading to the Deliverable S1.1.1 and D.2.3.6. Joint dissemination and outreach activities in Slovenia will be considered. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 608 907.80

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 087 126.22

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 2 087 126.22. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Proof-of-concept study on retrofitting of abandoned wells with Borehole Heat Exchangers (BHEs)
Proof-of-concept study on reuse of abandoned wells for Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES)
Proof-of-concept study on reuse of abandoned wells for hydrothermal energy (HE) production
Proof-of-concept study on reuse of abandoned wells for Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES)
Proof-of-concept study on reuse of abandoned wells for Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) development
Engineering workflows for retrofitting abandoned wells
Transnational summary of technical and socio-economic procedures for well repurposing
Socio-economic analysis report of repurposing abandoned wells for industrial processes
Socio-economic analysis report of repurposing abandoned wells for agricultural use
Socio-economic analysis report of repurposing abandoned wells for municipalities
Criteria catalogue for well repurposing
Factsheets and infographics
Beta version of web-based IT tool for well repurposing
Online webinar for the well assessment tool
Web-based IT tool for well repurposing
Regional database of the Pannonian Basin
Regional database of the Vienna Basin
Regional database of the Molasse Basin
Regional database of the North German Basin
Report on the transnational repurpose potential in Central Europe
Regional and transnational stakeholder events for presentation of the transnational well assessment
Feasibility study for the pilot site Ampfing (Molasse Basin)
Feasibility study for the pilot region Weinviertel (Vienna Basin)
Feasibility study for the pilot region Hungarian Great Plain (Pannonian Basin)
Feasibility study for the pilot field Mihovljan (Pannonian Basin)
Feasibility study for the pilot site Zagreb-Savica (Pannonian Basin)
Feasibility study for the pilot region Pomurje (Pannonian Basin)
Feasibility study for the pilot region Lausitz (North German Basin)
Feasibility study for the pilot site Groß Schönebeck (North German Basin)
Regional workshops at the pilot sites for awareness raising
Transnational summary of feasibility studies
Report on regional comparison of policy frameworks for well repurposing
Transnational strategy for the structural change of fossil fuel producing regions to geothermal
Transnational action plan with intervention set for geothermal reuse of abandoned hydrocarbon wells
Dissemination event for presentation and dissemination of the transnational strategy
Regional stakeholder events to discuss the transnational action plan
Final conference to present the project results and outline follow-up actions

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EuropeanGreenDeal TRANSGEO supports the EU’s clean and just energy transition initiative Green Deal by promoting the use of advanced technologies in the reuse of abandoned oil and gas wells to foster the geothermal potential in the target regions. The project will contribute to the development of smart infrastructures, as geothermal energy and energy storage are important elements to guarantee the stability of the energy supply. The use of geothermal energy reduces dependence on energy sources outside the EU and thus contributes to market and price stability. Moreover, the use of geothermal energy can be a solution to the European Union’s strategic energy questions. Consumers would benefit directly from integrating the use of geothermal energy into the green energy portfolio, as both price stability and energy poverty can be addressed.
Our approach involves both private engagement and support for local communities that need to provide clean, affordable and reliable energy to the population. Joint initiatives between the project partners will encourage future investments in the deployment of repurposing technologies to existing infrastructures for affordable clean energy, GHG emission reduction, energy efficiency and renewable energy use. These are key elements for achieving carbon neutrality.
By reaching out to the oil and gas industry in the region, we set incentives for the industry to invest in green energy technologies and to strengthen sustainable investments.
The use of geothermal energy contributes to the reduction of air pollution as it does not generate toxic emissions. The conversion and continued use of old oil and gas infrastructure will prevent environmental degradation as no new wells need to be drilled. Highest technical and environmental standards will be applied to guarantee a toxic free environment.
TRANSGEO is committed to the retraining and education of employees in the oil and gas sector and will compensate for regional differences through its training measures.
TerritorialAgenda2030 TRANSGEO contributes to increasing the quality of life by focusing on rural regions, where it helps to maintain jobs, but also creates opportunities for local communities to secure energy supply for their citizens while generating income.
The development of local energy supply through the use of geothermal sources also contributes to the provision of public services, as local geothermal energy sources ensure both accessibility and proximity of the energy source, as well as affordability, as dependence on external energy sources is reduced in the long term.
Through our online webinar and other communication events, we contribute to balancing out existing knowledge imbalances and creating perspectives for regional development as well as for the preservation and generation of jobs.
By using geothermal energy as an energy source, TRANSGEO contributes to safe, affordable and sustainable energy. Geothermal energy can balance peak energy demands and reduce external dependencies. Our project also strengthens regional energy supply structures by demonstrating cost-effective solutions.
By continuing to use old oil and gas production facilities, we also take into account the ideas of resource conservation and circular economy.
Through the involvement of public-private partnerships and the integration of innovative start-up companies, we ensure competitiveness, innovative strength and creativity and create local income opportunities. In the long term, our approach of relying on local energy suppliers can stop migration and create future prospects in the participating regions.
We are also strengthening intergovernmental cooperation between Member States by preparing a transnational strategy and action plan in our project and, in particular, by addressing legal and permitting issues that are currently still the main barrier to the repurposing of wells and the deployment of geothermal energy as an alternative energy source.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion The project contributes to EUSDR PA2 sustainable energy, PA9 people and skills, and PA10 institutional capacity and cooperation. Applying repurposing technologies to abandoned wells promotes the use of renewable energy sources (RES), removes bottlenecks in the use of abandoned wells and ensures rapid exploitation of the geothermal potential. Decarbonization and reduction of air pollution will be supported by the shift from oil and gas production to geothermal energy production, which is emission-free. Furthermore, Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) and Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) can contribute considerably to the storage of energy. Therefore, our project can contribute to the elaboration of a strategy for energy storage in the region. TRANSGEO also supports the exchange of best practices within the region but also with other initiatives throughout Europe. The project will help to harmonise laws, rules and regulations in Europe and reduce barriers to implementation.
Joint activities encourage transnational cooperation of regional and local stakeholders, policymakers, companies, experts and scientific institutions in using repurposing technologies and support the connection of regions with geothermal energy potential.
In addition, TRANSGEO will support PA8 competitiveness of enterprises as we foster cooperation and exchange of knowledge between SMEs, academia and the public sector in areas of competence in the Danube Region. We will use the innovative approaches of the participating companies to demonstrate market maturity in the participating regions. We also aim to open up new markets and opportunities for the participating companies, in order to ultimately create innovative jobs. We will demonstrate this to the interested public and decision-makers by showing the feasibility and possibilities of further use of abandoned oil and gas production wells at various locations.
EUStrategyAlpineRegion TRANSGEO supports with EUSALP objective 1, as it is developing innovation and research capacity and transfer into practice at the Ampfing site in Germany, the Weinviertel in Austria and the Pomurje region in Slovenia which are the TRANSGEO pilot sites and areas in the Alpine region.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders: 22.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSALP

EUSALP Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSALP Degree of compliance:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-07

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

125 / 150 (83.33%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

1 135 / 1 306 (86.91%)

Notes on the data

There are discrepancies in this programme's financial data in keep.eu. Namely, in one or more cases, the sum of the project partners' budgets exceeds the total budget of the respective project. Interact is working with the Programme to correct those figures.

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Transforming abandoned wells for geothermal energy production

Description

Thematic information

Partners (10)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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