VoGERA Vulnerability Of shallow Groundwater resources to deep sub-surface Energy Related Activities

GeoERA - GROUNDWATER VoGERA - rationale Increased pressure on deep sub-surface in Europe for energy related activities e.g. oil and gas, geothermal, energy storage Changes sub-surface/introduce new chemicals Possible impact on groundwater Concerns have lead to moratoria on or banning of some industries There is increasing pressure on the use of the deep sub-surface in Europe for energy related activities, such as oil and gas (conventional and unconventional), geothermal and storage (such as nuclear waste and gas disposal). These activities can introduce changes to the sub-surface structure and introduce or mobilise new chemicals There are concerns that these hazards may lead to contamination of groundwater. This has received widespread media attention across Europe, resulting in moratoria or even banning of some industries, such as shale gas, in some countries.

VoGERA - partners BGS (UKRI) TNO VMM SCK•CEN MBFSZ Geoinform GEUS GeoERA - GROUNDWATER VoGERA - partners BGS (UKRI) TNO VMM SCK•CEN MBFSZ Geoinform GEUS The Vogera project has participants from 6 different countries, including the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary, Ukraine and Denmark. We have a total budget of 433 k Euro, received 128 k Euro from the EU. The project started 1st July 2018 and will run for three years Total budget: € 433 782 - From EU: € 128 833 July 2018 – June 2021

GeoERA - GROUNDWATER VoGERA - aim To improve scientific understanding of the vulnerability of shallow groundwater from deep sub-surface energy-related activities. Protect vulnerable groundwater Allow responsible development of the sub-surface European-wide approach Consistent across energy activities The aim of the VoGERA project is to improve scientific understanding of the vulnerability of shallow groundwater (which may be potable, support ecosystems or can be used for other human uses) from deep sub-surface energy-related activities. In order to best protect valuable and vulnerable groundwater At the same time as allowing the responsible development of the sub-surface for the benefit of European citizens and the economy

VoGERA – Project structure GeoERA - GROUNDWATER VoGERA – Project structure Besides the communication and coordination, VogERA consists of two work packages: one concerning process understanding, one on conceptual modelling for risk assessment. By mutual interaction between these two WP, we would like to come to a process-based risk assessment framework

VoGERA – Process understanding GeoERA - GROUNDWATER VoGERA – Process understanding Use evidence to assess possible pathways (e.g. fault zones/abandoned wells) at 4 pilot locations: Stable isotopes Dating/residence time indicators Temperature Hydraulic head Groundwater flow data 3D geological models For gaining insight in the relevant processes, a literature review will be performed. Besides, four pilot sites will be investigated in some more detail. These sites are selected because of data availability. The kind of data that are available vary from site to site, but the available data are at each site very useful for assessing vertical pathways. Data include amongst others stable isotopes, dating indicators, temperature measurements etc. The results from the literature review and the investigations at the pilot sites will be used to build a conceptual model. On the other hand, large uncertainties or data lacks that show up during conceptual model development might steer the literature review and pilot site investigations performed in WP3.

VoGERA – Conceptual model GeoERA - GROUNDWATER VoGERA – Conceptual model Develop conceptual models of the sub-surface activities with possible pathways of contamination to groundwater Example of a conceptual model showing possible contamination pathways from sub-surface energy activities (oil and gas) to shallow groundwater The conceptual model development will not start from scratch, but from previous experience of the project partners. The model will be adjusted and extended based on the literature review, investigations at pilot sites and eventual input from stakeholders.

VoGERA – Vulnerability assessment GeoERA - GROUNDWATER VoGERA – Vulnerability assessment Develop framework for assessing vulnerability of shallow groundwater from energy-related activities: Applicable across a range of European hydrogeological settings Useful tool for regulators and decision makers Test vulnerability framework at pilot sites and modify according to results Based on the conceptual model, a framework for assessing the vulnerability of shallow groundwater will be constructed. That framework must be applicable in various hydrogeological settings that occur in EU. Moreover, it should be made available for stakeholders as a useful tool. We will test the applicability of the framework and evaluate its usefulness at the four pilot sites. Based on this, the framework might be adjusted or extended.

VoGERA – stakeholders and outputs GeoERA - GROUNDWATER VoGERA – stakeholders and outputs Stakeholders: Regional and local authorities, water supply companies, groundwater resource managers, public, academic researchers Output: Evidence summarised in report Tool for assessing groundwater vulnerability Stakeholders for the VoGERA project will be regional and local authorities, waters supply companies and consultants, groundwater resource managers, the public and academic researchers. Stakeholders are thus identified at two different spatial scales of decision making: local scale and regional scale. They will benefit from evidence summarised in reports, and the development of a tool for accessing groundwater vulnerability to deep energy related activities to aid in decision making.

VoGERA – Current project status and stakeholder involvement GeoERA - GROUNDWATER VoGERA – Current project status and stakeholder involvement Stakeholder involvement: two ‘scales’ Regional/EU: 8-9/10 CIS WG Groundwater, Vienna Local: First workshop planned on 30/11 in Brussels Desired input from stakeholders: Expectations: Societal issues to be included/questions to be answered Usefulness of ‘end products’: report, data set, tool, … Currently, the project is in a start-up phase. We are working on the literature review and organising the first contacts with stakeholders. Through the CIS WG Groundwater, we would like to interact with stakeholders working at EU scale on groundwater policy development and subsurface spatial planning. We have also planned a workshop with local stakeholders at the end of November in Brussel. We would like to know from our stakeholders which themes or activities they would like us to consider in our model and tool. Moreover, we’re interested in their expectations or preferences regarding the outputs of the study. For example, would a spreadsheet tool for vulnerability assessment be useful? Or is it better to communicate the findings in a more ‘technical’ way, as data sets and maps.