In the years 2010-2013, analysis of rocks that build the sedimentary covers in Poland was carried out from the point of view of energy utilization accumulated in hot dry rocks – used in Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). As a result of a number of analytical studies, the area situated in the central part of Poland was selected as one of prospective areas for location of EGS in sedimentary rocks. This area encompasses a major part of the Mogilno-Łódź Trough, a part of the Kujawy Swell and a small fragment of the Fore-Sudetic Monocline. The most favourable conditions for development of EGS occur in deposits of the Lower Triassic in the Krośniewice-Kutno vicinity where they are buried to depths greater than 5000 m b.s.l., have thicknesses exceeding 1500 m and are characterized by porosity about 2.5% and permeability about 0.1 mD. In the selected area, thermal characterization of the formation was carried out for location of the EGS in sedimentary rocks. The temperature at the top of Lower Triassic reservoir is in the range 165-175°C. Characterization of petrophysical parameters constituted the basis for further modelling of EGS utilization in selected area.

This paper presents the results of a research project aimed at evaluating the unconventional natural gas potential of the autochthonous Miocene sediments in the Polish part of the Carpathian Foredeep. The primary objective of the study was to re-evaluate the biogenic gas generation system within Miocene sediments, paying special attention to unconventional gas resources accumulated in tight mudstone formations. The four-dimensional (4D) petroleum system modeling method (PetroMod software) was used to reconstruct the basin geometry and three-dimensional (3D) evolution through a geological timescale, in particular the progress of gas generation, migration, and accumulation processes, as well as their consequences for gas exploration and development. Special attention was paid to the dynamics of gas generation processes and the advancement of sediment compaction and their time dependence, as well as to the progress and outcomes of gas migration and accumulation processes. The results indicate significant potential for unconventional gas accumulations in mudstone reservoirs. However, part of the biogenic gas resources occurs in a dispersed form. Analysis of the dynamics of biogenic gas generation and accumulation conducted on a basin scale and within particular sedimentary complexes and depth intervals allowed an indication of the premises regarding the most favorable zones for mudstone–claystone reservoir exploration.