Seequent: Turning Complexity into Confidence in Geothermal Projects

This is a sponsored contribution and has not been peer-reviewed. Its publication does not imply endorsement by the European Federation of Geologists (EFG). The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the European Federation of Geologists (EFG).​

Seequent enables the interpretation of diverse geoscientific data through a holistic approach, helping teams develop a deeper understanding of the subsurface. By informing critical decisions, Seequent ultimately supports smarter and more efficient geothermal operations.

The Shift in the Energy Landscape

The global energy landscape is shifting rapidly, with geothermal energy gaining increased recognition for its potential to provide secure, renewable energy source. As governments and industries push towards decarbonisation, geothermal energy’s value as a sustainable and consistent energy source is coming to the forefront. Yet, as promising as this form of energy is, the road from exploration to energy production is marked by scientific and operational complexity.

Europe’s geothermal industry reflects both opportunity and challenge. The continent’s diverse geological settings make Europe an increasingly important player in geothermal development, supported by EU‑level policies promoting renewable heating, energy security, and decarbonisation. However, this same geological complexity also brings challenges, including complex reservoir behaviour, varied geological environments, and high exploration costs. As European projects increasingly target deeper and higher‑temperature resources to meet growing energy and heating demands under evolving regulatory frameworks, uncertainty and development costs continue to rise. Reservoir behaviour is difficult to predict, and each new well must be justified through a robust, integrated understanding of subsurface conditions.

As geothermal projects grow in scale and complexity, both locally and globally, there is a rising demand for advanced solutions in 3D modelling, real-time monitoring and risk management. Unlike solar and wind, geothermal potential cannot be directly measured. It must be inferred through interdisciplinary interpretation of geological, geophysical, and geochemical data. Accurate subsurface models and continuous data integration are becoming essential to reduce uncertainty, optimise resource development, and support sustainable decision-making throughout the geothermal project lifecycle.

To move from geothermal potential to production in an efficient, cost-effective, and scalable manner, the industry must evolve its approach. Aiming to be a key partner to geothermal industry which is considered critical to the largest energy transition in history, Seequent ensures better integration of geoscience disciplines and data to support development of the industry.

The Complexity of Exploration and Drilling

Geothermal exploration embraces the inherent uncertainty of the subsurface. The companies must answer fundamental questions early in the process: Where is the heat source? How is it migrating through the rock? Are faults acting as conduits or barriers to flow? What is the pressure, temperature, and permeability conditions?

Yet, with sparse and often disconnected data, building an accurate conceptual model is difficult. This uncertainty carries forward into drilling, arguably the costliest phase of a geothermal project. Without precise understanding, wells may miss the target, reduce reservoir performance or cause unintended interference with nearby wells.

Moreover, drilling through complex lithologies and at high temperatures places additional technical and financial pressure on projects. Each decision, from well placement to casing design, requires high confidence supported by integrated geoscientific data.

Adapting to Dynamic Conditions

Complexity of the geothermal process doesn’t end with the exploration phase. Even the production phase influences how much energy can ultimately be extracted. Each new well you drill can affect the productivity of other wells in the field, and this must all be factored into the long-term productivity, maintenance, and management of a geothermal resource.

Reservoir conditions such as pressure, flow rate, and temperature are not static. They shift over time and with production. New wells can impact existing ones, and thermal drawdown or chemical changes can affect plant output.

These dynamic conditions demand tools that do more than visualise static models. They must enable geothermal teams to update the model based on new data, simulate change, test future scenarios, and adjust strategies accordingly. Without these abilities, operators are left reacting to problems instead of proactively managing performance.

Seequent: A Bridge from Data to Decision

Seequent’s software solutions, MX Deposit, Leapfrog Energy, Central, and Volsung, empowers geothermal professionals to address these challenges with a unified, dynamic approach.

Leapfrog Energy enables robust 3D subsurface modelling by integrating geological, geophysical, and drilling data into a unified model. With Leapfrog Energy, teams can reduce uncertainty early in the project, lowering the risk of unsuccessful drilling and enabling more strategic resource allocation.

By adding powerful geophysical data processing capabilities, Oasis montaj supports early-stage exploration by revealing deeper structural features beneath the surface. It enables users to process, filter, and model geophysical survey data, enhancing the interpretation phase. Meanwhile, MX Deposit, a cloud-based platform for wellbore and lab data management platform, streamlines the data acquisition and organization of wellbore and sample data, and integrates seamlessly with Leapfrog Energy. Integrated use of Oasis montaj, MX Deposit Leapfrog Energy with Central connects multidisciplinary teams by centralising models, data, and version histories. Teams stay aligned and can visualise changes as new data emerges, speeding up model updates and decisions.

Volsung’s seamless integration with Leapfrog Energy ensures the physics of the conceptual model is represented in the simulation models with direct outputs from Leapfrog Energy. Volsung also offers ability to integrate reservoir, well, and surface network models for accurate geothermal resource and power generation predictions.

Integrated use of these tools provides a platform for making confident, informed decisions throughout the geothermal project lifecycle.

Confidence in Each Step

The geothermal industry has an important role in energy transition. With rising demand for clean, sustainable energy, the pressure to reduce risk and accelerate project timelines has never been greater. The path from subsurface data to confident investment decisions requires more than intuition and experience; it demands clarity, integration, and adaptability.

Offering a seamlessly integrated platform that unifies the geoscience data with real time collaboration and full-field simulation Seequent’s software solutions, Oasis montaj, Leapfrog Energy, Central, and Volsung, enables professionals to make better-informed decisions ensuring geothermal projects evolve with clarity and confidence.

As the world intensifies its search for sustainable energy, those who embrace dynamic, data-driven geothermal development will lead the way. Seequent aims to enable the geothermal industry to think deeper, act faster, and grow smarter.