Structural control of geothermal reservoirs in extensional tectonic settings: An example from the Upper Rhine Graben

In this context we have investigated slip and dilation tendencies (TS and TD) of major structural elements at reservoir scale for two representative geothermal sites, Bruchsal (Germany) and Riehen (Switzerland), located close to the Eastern Main Boundary Fault of the Upper Rhine Graben. We have evaluated the quality and uncertainty range of both tendencies with respect to potential variation in SHmax orientation. Despite significant differences in orientation of the structures and the stress regimes, the resulting variation of TS and TD reveal major similarities concerning the reactivation potential of both, the graben-parallel structures and the transfer faults. The conditions of criticality for tensile failure and non-criticality for shear failure suggest that transfer faults are most likely naturally permeable structures with low stimulation potential. This is in agreement with the absence of both immediate tracer recovery and seismicity in the studied geothermal sites.