Prof. Dr. Michael C. Drews

Academic Career and Research Areas

Prof. Drews‘ (*1982) research focusses on deep geothermal energy; in particular on the analysis, prediction and monitoring of pressures and stresses in the upper 6 km of the Earth’s crust. Thereby, he combines techniques from various disciplines (e.g. drilling and geophysics) to minimize drilling, exploration and production related risks of deep geothermal energy projects. The current regional focus is on the Bavarian part of the North Alpine Foreland Basin, Germany’s most active deep geothermal province. 

Prof. Drews graduated as Diplom Geologist from the University of Mainz in 2008. He received a doctoral degree (PhD) from Newcastle University (UK) for his thesis about the stress and pressure-dependent behavior of fine-grained sediments in 2012. In the following Prof. Drews worked as a global subject matter expert for pore pressure prediction in the petroleum industry in Houston (US) and as a senior researcher in geomechanics at Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen, Germany. In 2019, Prof. Drews accepted his current position at TUM.

Drews, M.C. and Duschl, F. (2022): Overpressure, vertical stress, compaction and horizontal loading along the North Alpine Thrust Front, SE Germany. Marine and Petroleum Geology.

Abstract

Drews, M., Shatyrbayeva, I., Bohnsack, D., Duschl, F., Obermeier, P., Loewer, M., Flechtner, F., Keim, M., (2022): The role of pore pressure and its prediction in deep geothermal energy drilling – examples from the North Alpine Foreland Basin, SE Germany. Petroleum Geoscience.

Abstract

Drews, M.C., Hofstetter, P., Zosseder, K., Shipilin, V., Stollhofen, H. (2020): Predictability and controlling factors of overpressure in the North Alpine Foreland Basin, SE Germany: an interdisciplinary post-drill analysis of the Geretsried GEN-1 deep geothermal well. Geothermal Energy.

Abstract

Drews MC, Seithel R, Savvatis A, Kohl T, Stollhofen H: „A normal-faulting stress regime in the Bavarian Foreland Molasse Basin? New evidence from detailed analysis of leak-off and formation integrity tests in the greater Munich area, SE-Germany”. Tectonophysics. 2019; 755: 1-9.

Abstract

Drews MC, Bauer W, Caracciolo L, Stollhofen H: “Disequilibrium compaction overpressure in shales of the Bavarian Foreland Molasse Basin: Results and geographical distribution from velocity-based analyses”. Marine and Petroleum Geology. 2018; 92: 37-50.

Abstract