On June 19, 2025, TRANSGEO project partners from Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia held a workshop at the Petroleum Engineering Summer School (PESS) in Dubrovnik. The session presented ongoing research on repurposing abandoned hydrocarbon wells in the Pannonian Basin for geothermal energy production. Experts discussed the development of regional databases, well assessment methods, and pilot feasibility studies in all three participating countries.
A key focus was the Hungarian feasibility study for converting abandoned wells in Biharkeresztes into a geothermal heating system. The study drew on successful reference cases, including the Szentes agricultural geothermal system and the high-performance Nagyatád GeoWasteHeat project. Using a structured database and decision-tree methodology, Ár-2 and Bike-31 wells were selected for detailed technical evaluation. Tests showed improved yields after optimized perforation and provided hydrogeochemical insights into reservoir conditions.
The proposed system aims to supply heat to six municipal buildings using geothermal heat pumps. With an estimated CAPEX of €3.28 million and an 18.8-year payback period—potentially shortened through EU or national subsidies—the project is considered technically and economically feasible. The study highlights geothermal repurposing as a practical pathway for sustainable energy transition and supports broader EU decarbonization goals.