The ‘Dynamic System Approach for Geofluids and their Resources’ was developed to harmonize research and the sustainable exploration of geofluids (e.g., groundwater, geothermal and hydrothermal fluids) and the related geo-resources (groundwater, geothermal energy and hydrothermal minerals). The conception is based on the basin-scale groundwater flow systems, which behave as a geologic agent, mobilize, transport and deposit matter and heat, whilst it can be evaluated quantitatively and in a distributed manner. Evaluation of these systems combined, for instance, with numerical, stochastic and isotope methods can jointly manage all types of geofluids, the related resources and the environmental consequences of their exploration and utilization. This paper describes the fundamental concepts of the approach and displays the proposed workflow and guidelines for practical applications such as groundwater vulnerability assessment, managed aquifer recharge, geothermal energy utilization, and the evaluation of hydrothermal mineral potential.

Biogenic or microbial methane has an increasing share in the global gas resource base, though its exploration still faces challenges and welcomes innovations. Critical elements of its migration and accumulation models are the groundwater flows which gather and transport the gas in aqueous solution, and the seal rocks or aquifers which lead groundwater flows horizontally over great distances. This paper intends to introduce the hydraulic trap concept into these models, which is able to drive fluids horizontally without an overlying seal rock. Since hydraulic traps can evolve as a result of the interplay of regional groundwater flow systems, the basin-scale hydraulic evaluation methodology which was developed for the analysis of these systems was further improved by this study to focus on their interplay. The improved methodology was applied on measured hydraulic data in a study area in the Central Pannonian Basin (Hungary) around the Hajdúszoboszló gas field where as a result, the first groundwater flow controlled dissolved biogenic gas migration and accumulation model could be set up. In addition, the proposed methodology can be used in any terrestrial sedimentary basin, and in particular, where topography-driven flow systems are underlaid by an abnormal pressure regime.