As of: March 7, 2024, 2:02 p.m
By: Johannes Jais
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Drilling for natural gas is scheduled to begin at a depth of around 3,200 meters near Reichling this year.
The use of geothermal energy is also possible, it was said at the citizens' meeting.
© Mayr/MM
This year things are getting serious about natural gas drilling near Reichling.
Drilling should take place over 40 days in spring or summer.
Before that, the drilling site must be built from April - which will take around 60 days.
At the citizens' meeting in Ludenhausen, technician Eckard Oehms and lawyer Jürgen Milinski from Genexco Gas gave an outlook on what is planned for 2024 and 2025.
Dr.
Renate Pechnig from the Geophysica consulting company informed that the use of geothermal energy is also possible: the water at a depth of a good 3,000 meters is 120 degrees.
An example of a geothermal power plant in the region is Geretsried (currently under construction).
Drilling at a depth of 3,200 meters - use of geothermal energy is also possible
Of the two drilling sites near the Kromerhof, one is suitable for natural gas and one for geothermal energy: natural gas could be produced at the drilling site south of the road that leads towards Rott, and geothermal energy could be produced north of the Kromerhof, in the east of Reichling.
When the approximately 1,000 square meter drilling site is ready in around 60 days, drilling will take place at a depth of 3,200 meters – the so-called final depth – for around a month, says Oehms.
There are also ten days for assembly and dismantling.
The same drilling rig will be used as the one Bayerngas built in Brandenburg ten years ago, with a winding tower around 35 meters high.
The setting up of the drilling site and the drilling operation itself are supervised by the South Bavaria Mining Authority.
Evaluations and further planning, which take six to three quarters of a year, must be approved by the mining authority, which is part of the government of Upper Bavaria.
If the authorities give the green light, withdrawal is possible for up to 15 years.
At the citizens' meeting there were questions regarding drinking water protection, noise, environmental impact, truck traffic, transport and jobs.
“We do not come into contact with the drinking water layer during the drilling,” emphasized Oehms.
The Berlin company applied for a license in May 2022.
At the beginning of October 2022, the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs granted permission (the KREISBOTE reported).
Fracking possible?
A resident from Reichling wanted to know whether fracking was being used, which requires numerous chemicals and may be released into the air.
Oehms denied that.
Flaring (with flame) only occurs during the first test.
The environmental report was prepared between March and September last year, it was said at the citizens' meeting.
Milisinski informed that the company is in constant contact with the community.
Criticism came from citizens because the topic of gas drilling was discussed twice in citizens' meetings with numerous other topics, but there was no separate information event.
“We understand,” replied Oehms, that the need for information will be met.
There are also guided tours of the drilling site.
The question was also whether there would be an extra information evening about the gas field on the Lech and possible geothermal energy.
A woman from Reichlingen submitted an application for the citizens' meeting at short notice and requested a separate date for it.
The application will be called upon by the local council, said Mayor Johannes Hintersberger.
It is important that this topic is not only addressed in your own community.
Neighboring communities such as Apfeldorf, Rott, Kinsau and Vilgertshofen are also called upon to address this.
Milisinski explained that those responsible for public concerns – i.e. municipalities, energy suppliers and nature conservation authorities – could comment on the project.