A seismic data acquisition campaign is expected to start this March 2026 to search for a potential geothermal reservoir in the city of Esztergom in northern Hungary, as well as its surrounding regions. The campaign is part of the Government’s extended National Geothermal Research Program (OGT+) that is taking place from 2026 to 2029.
The study area will cover an area of about 80 square kilometers encompassing the settlements of Esztergom, Tát, Tokod, Tokodaltáró, Dorog, Kesztölc, Piliscsév and Leányvár. Vibro-trucks will travel through three tracks to develop high-resolution seismic profiles of a total length of 28 kilometers. Through this data acqusition campaign, detailed geological and hydrogeological models can be created that will significantly reduce the geological risks of any possible future geothermal investment.
The geothermal resource in Esztergom is expected to have temperatures of only 40 to 50 °C. Although these are not particularly high temperatures, the area is still of interest because from a heating perspective because of the high energy demand of the industrial park at Esztergom.
A continuation of geothermal risk mitigation measures
Based on the decision of the Hungarian Government in 2022 to support the exploitation of the domestic geothermal potential, the Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs (SARA / SZTFH) carried out risk-reducing measurement campaigns from 2022 to 2025 under the National Geothermal Research Program (OGT). The campaign targeted areas where a suitable residential or industrial heat market was already in place, but geological information was still insufficient.
The campaign was successful in completing 130 kilometers of new 2D seismic profiles covering 4 areas and 61 square kilometers of new 3D seismic spatial data in 2 areas. Measurements were carried out in Budapest, Miskolc, Zalaegerszeg, and Székesfehérvár, among others. Moreover, data from the surveys have contributed in creating a hydrogeological model of the Budapest thermal karst.
Last year, the Government adopted a resolution that will allow the Geological Service of SARA to continue its nationwide geological risk-reducing geothermal research progrma under the OGT+ program from 2026 to 2029.
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Source: SZTFH
