Source: Energy & Management Powernews, 05 October 2022
The Berlin Genexco GmbH has received permission for natural gas exploration in the field "Lech". Also for further exploration projects one shows open in Bavaria.
Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters) explained that in view of the exploding gas prices, the state government wants to use all options to defuse the crisis. That is why it supports the search for domestic natural gas. In the foothills of the Alps, oil- and gas-bearing layers could be present, depending on the region.
"Even if the suspected deposits in the foothills of the Alps are likely to be relatively limited, we should do everything we can to reduce Bavaria's and Germany's dependence on imports," Aiwanger explained in a statement from his ministry. He also announced that he would be open to further applications. After submitting an application, an administrative procedure under mining law is to be carried out in the "Lech" case.
Aiwanger also emphasized in this context the role of natural gas as a bridging technology in the transition from coal and nuclear to renewables. For more than half a year, he said, it has now been clear that these possibilities will be limited. In the long term, green hydrogen will take over the current tasks of natural gas.
Several hundred million cubic meters suspected
About the permit application, the Ministry of Economics has informed the affected communities as part of the participation procedure under mining law. The exploration permit "Lech" is valid for three years and was granted to the Berlin gas company Genexco GmbH. Several hundred million cubic meters of natural gas are suspected in the area around Kinsau in the Upper Bavarian district of Landsberg am Lech. The natural gas is to be fed with Fndigkeit into the existing gas net.
Especially in the south of Bavaria between Lech, Isar, Inn and Salzach geologists still suspect gas under the earth. In the Bavarian Alpine region, almost 60 Bavarian gas fields have been discovered since the 1950s - in the meantime, however, many deposits have been exploited. Bavaria was still able to cover around 30% of its gas requirements from domestic deposits in the 1970s.
Author: Günter Drewnitzky
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