The fluid content of salt rocks is an important parameter to evaluate their barrier properties. The measurements are time intensive, and the results are highly dependent on the sample selection and preparation. Nuclear magnetic relaxation relaxometry is an established non-invasive petrophysical method, but it has not been used extensively for rock salt to date. The first results show that NMR has promising features with respect to the analysis of the fluid content of salt rocks.

BGE, the implementer of Germany’s site selection procedure, recently outlined an alternative exploration approach. This contribution aims to detail and discuss it, based on BGR’s experience regarding the exploration of the subsurface. It focuses on geoscientific aspects and elaborates on the two main requirements to this approach, namely acceptance by the scientific community and capability to account for the specific characteristics of the host rock types while (still) ensuring comparability.

In phase II siting regions will be explored above ground. The exploration requirements for the siting regions define the methods to be used. BGR develops a database, GeM-DB, that allows the research for exploration methods. The database entries consist of a description, attributes and the evaluation of the suitability and applicability for the host rocks and exploration objectives. Filters and selection options allow queries of the database content to generate sequences of exploration methods.