24 June, 2025 Khobar Eastern Province Saudi Arabia

AAPG/EAGE Geothermal Energy in the Middle East: Unlocking a Vast Renewable Energy Resource

22-24 June 2025
  |  
Khobar, Saudi Arabia
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Sponsored By:
 

Discover the Future of Clean Energy

Beneath the surface of the Earth lies a vast untapped source of clean and sustainable energy. This geothermal energy has the potential to revolutionize how we power our homes, cities, and industries, especially in the Middle East.

With advancements in technology and exploration, we now have the tools to unlock this resource – beyond electricity – to pave the way for a greener and more energy secure future. Aligning with the region’s visions, which prioritize economic diversification, environmental stewardship, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels, geothermal energy emerges as a strategic resource in the region's quest for a sustainable future. For geoscientists, engineers, decision makers, and policy makers, the Middle East presents a unique opportunity to apply their skills and expertise to unlock the potential of geothermal energy.

The subsurface realm of geothermal systems continues to evolve, with many questions surrounding the interplay between low/medium/high enthalpy systems, structure, stratigraphy, hydrothermal activity, well design and operation, and technology. Despite these complexities, geoscientists and engineers continue to develop innovative approaches to identifying, characterizing, and tapping into these systems, driving progress toward commercial-scale geothermal energy production.

This workshop will bring together global experts to explore how geothermal could become a cornerstone of the Middle East sustainable energy efforts.

What will be Discussed.

  • How Geothermal Works: Basics of geothermal energy and why it can be a game-changer to the region.
  • Societal Landscape: Case studies from around the world that demonstrate how geothermal is already making an impact.
  • The Opportunities in the Middle East’s: How the region’s unique geology can offer exciting opportunities for geothermal development.
  • Innovation in Action: Latest breakthrough in upstream, and downstream technology, from drilling to cascaded optimization of revenue streams such as heating, cooling, desalination, and mineral extraction.

Why Attend?

  • Be Part of the Future: Understand the possibilities of a renewable energy source that is right under our feet.
  • Connect with Experts: Meet scientists, engineers, and decision-makers shaping the regional geothermal industry.
  • Make a Difference: Equip yourself with knowledge and strategies to support the shift toward cleaner energy in your community or organization.

Who Should Attend.

  • Technical experts in exploration and development, as well as academics eager to explore new frontiers in renewable energy.
  • Policymakers, and business leaders looking to drive innovation and investments in sustainable energy.
 
Sunday 22nd June
07.00-08.00 Workshop Registration
08.00-08.15 Workshop Co-Chairs' Welcome and Introduction
08.15-08.30 Inaugural Keynote
Khalid AlRufaii, Director
Western Area and Strategic Exploration Department

Saudi Aramco
08.30-09.00 Technical Keynote
Session 1: Legislative Frame for Geothermal Energy Exploitation in the Middle East
09.00-09.25 Policies and Regulations: A Global Perspective on Enabling Geothermal Development
Marit Brommer
International Geothermal Association
09.25-09.50 Integrating Geothermal Energy into Saudi Arabia's Renewable Energy Mix: Regulatory and Strategic Insights
Sultana Begum
Jacobs
09.50-10.10 Coffee Break & Posters
10.10-10.35 Enabling Legal Frameworks for the Development of Geothermal Resources
Baldvin Björn Haraldsson
BBA/Fjeldco
10.35-11.00 TBC
11.00-12.00 Breakout Session
12.00-13.30 Lunch
Session 2: Applications of Geothermal Energy Exploitation Applicable to the Middle East
13.30-13.55 Enhanced Geothermal Technologies (EGS) in Europe - It Works!
Jörg Baumgärtner
BESTEC GmbH
13.55-14.20 A Real-World Case Study of Geothermal Energy Applications and Circular Economy, how Geothermal Energy Can Unlock KSA’s Sustainable Development Potential
Dagny Jonsdottir
Reykjavík Geotherma
14.20-14.45 Unlocking Enhanced Geothermal Systems Using Three-Dimensional Fracture Network Modeling
William Pettitt
Baker Hughes
14.45-15.05 Coffee Break & Posters
15.05-15.30 Redefining Cooling: The Economic Advantages of Geothermal Systems in the Kingdom
Ahmed Alhani
Strataphy
15.30-15.55 Geothermal Cascade Cooling: World-leading Energy Efficiency and LCOE for Hot and Dry Climates
Luca Xodo
STEAM
15.55-16.55 Breakout Session
Monday 23rd June
Session 3: Integration and Hybridization of Geothermal Use Cases and Existing Infrastructure
09.00-09.25 Optimization Modeling of Geothermal Plus District Heating System in China
Cai Xia Sun
Arctic Green
09.25-09.50 Estimation of Geothermal Electric Power Production from Mature Oil Fields
Martin Lantoine Aymery Ait-Said
Beicip-Franlab
09.50-10.10 Coffee Break & Posters
10.10-10.35 Driving Geothermal Progress Through Integration of Technology Across the Geothermal Value Chain
Ajit Menon
Baker Hughes
10.35-11.00 Subsidizing Geothermal Power Generation Through Cascading Use: Integrating Power, Cooling, and Heating in Saudi Arabia
Ammar Alali
Strataphy
11.00-12.00 Breakout Session
12.00-13.30 Lunch
Session 4: Play Based Exploration for Geothermal Energy Exploitation in the Middle East
13.30-13.55 Heat Flow Variations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Insights from Basin Modeling
Rainer Schmidt
Saudi Aramco
13.55-14.20 Regional Assessment of Conventional and Unconventional Geothermal Energy Resources in Saudi Arabia
Miliausha Petrova
KAUST
14.20-14.45 Heat Flow in Northern and Eastern Arabia: Insights from New Temperature Data and Thermal Modeling
Harald Karg
Saudi Aramco
14.45-15.05 Coffee Break & Posters
15.05-15.30 Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis in the Middle East (GPFA): Integrating Subsurface Geological Characteristics and Risk Assessment for Prospect Evaluation
Kevin McCarthy
Baker Hughes
15.30-15.55 Oman Geothermal Study
Hamood Alsawafi & Maram Al Balushi
Ministry of Minerals and Energy, Oman
15.55-16.55 Breakout Session
Tuesday 24th June
Session 5: Transferring Geothermal Innovations and Developments from Worldwide Analogues to the Middle East
09.00-09.25 Managing Uncertainties in Geothermal Exploration by Transferring Best Practices
Yasin Makhloufi
Geneva Earth Resources SA
09.25-09.50 Multiphysics Structural Modelling for Deep Geothermal Exploration
Miquel Marin
Slb
10.10-10.35 Harnessing Geothermal Energy: Innovative Cooling Solutions from the Netherland to the Middle East
Maurice Hanegraaf
TNO
09.50-10.10 Coffee Break & Posters
10.35-11.00 Geothermal Energy Production in Geretsried, Germany – From Hydrothermal Dry Hole to Closed-Loop Production
Malcolm Ross
EAVOR
11.00-11.25 The Future of A-DLE: High Quality, Low Cost and Sustainable
Francis Wedin
Vulcan Energy Resources
11.25-12.25 Breakout Session
12.25-14.00 Lunch
Session 6: Geothermal Reservoir and Production Management
14.00-14.25 Advanced Geothermal Well Testing with Digital Solutions
Toan Pham Gia & Yermek Kaipov
SLB
14.25-14.50 Good Practice for Responsible Utilization of Geothermal Resources
Egill Juliusson
Arctic Green Energy
14.50-15.05 Coffee Break & Posters
15.05-15.30 Reda Thermal. Power-Efficient Geothermal Electric Submersible Pump
Denis Shirikov
SLB
15.30-15.55 TBC
15.55-16.55 Breakout Session
16.66-17.10 Workshop Wrap Up and Adjournement

POSTERS
Controlled Mineralization: A New Direction in Geothermal Energy Development Beyond Power Generation and Direct Use
Sadiq J. Zarrouk
University of Auckland
Accelerating Geothermal Cooling Adoption in Saudi Arabia: A Legislative Roadmap for Large-Scale Implementation
Ammar Alali, Strataphy

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AAPG/EAGE Geothermal Energy in the Middle East: Unlocking a Vast Renewable Energy Resource
Mövenpick Hotel Al Khobar
Prince Turkey Street, Al Yarmouk
KhobarEastern Province 31952
Saudi Arabia
 

Register Now!

Non-Member $1,850
Member* $1,650
Committee/Presenter $1,550
Young Professional** $850
Academia $500
Student (Masters) $350

* To avail the Member rate you must be an active member of AAPG, EAGE, DGS, GSO or KGS.

** To register as a Young Professional, you must be under the age of 35 with less than 10 years work experience.

 
Hussam Hani Banaja Hussam Banaja Co-Chair Saudi Aramco
Luca Davide Masnaghetti Luca Masnaghetti Co-Chair SLB
Andrea Moscariello, PhD Andrea Moscariello Co-Chair University of Geneva
Sarah Ghannam Sarah Ghannam Baker Hughes
Jon Jonsson Jon Jonsson ENOWA NEOM
Marit Brommer Marit Brommer International Geothermal Association
Thomas Finkbeiner Thomas Finkbeiner KAUST
Volker C. Vahrenkamp Volker Vahrenkamp KAUST
Israa Abu-Mahfouz Israa Abu-Mahfouz KFUPM
Mohamed AbdelFattah Abdullah Mohamed Abdullah KOC
Philipp Johannes Wolpert Phil Wolpert Saudi Aramco
Javed Ismail Javed Ismail Saudi Aramco
Tevfik Kaya Tevfik Kaya SLB
Giovanni Sosio Giovanni Sosio SLB
Meshary AlAyed Meshary AlAyed TAQA Geothermal
Ahmed Alhani Ahmed Alhani Strataphy
Rader Abdul Fattah Rader Abdul Fattah TNO
Cora Navarro Marketing Manager - Middle East & Africa Regions
Katie Steibelt Senior Events Manager, Middle East & Africa Regions
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