The present paper addresses the development and management of large geothermal
district heating grids exploiting, since the late 1960s – early 1970s, a dependable
carbonate reservoir located in the central part of the Paris Basin, France.
The geothermal reservoir consists of a hot water aquifer, of regional extent, hosted
by Dogger pervious oolithic limestones and dolomites, of Mid-Jurassic age, at depths
and temperatures ranging from 1,450 to 2,000m and 56 to 80°C respectively.
Development of the resource was boosted in the aftermath of the first and second, so
called, oil shocks (mid to late 1970s). It led to the completion of 54 geothermal
district heating systems, based on the mass conservative, well doublet concept of
heat mining, of which 34 remain online to date.
The paper reviews the main development milestones and related key exploitation and
managerial issues which enabled to accumulate a considerable experience with respect
to reservoir engineering and maintenance/surveillance of production facilities.
Sustainable development/management problematics are also discussed in the light of
geothermal reservoir longevity, innovative (re)designs of mining infrastructures and
environmental benefits.

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