Expro to Deliver Well Testing Services for Lionheart Geothermal and Lithium Project in Germany
Expro Group Holdings N.V. (NYSE: XPRO), a global energy services provider specializing in well flow management and subsea technologies, has been selected to deliver well testing services for the first Schleidberg well as part of Vulcan Energy Resources’ ambitious Lionheart Project in Germany. The initiative is regarded as one of Europe’s most important geothermal energy and lithium extraction developments, reflecting the growing role of geothermal resources in supporting both the clean energy transition and critical mineral supply chains.
The Lionheart Project is designed to combine geothermal energy production with lithium extraction from underground brine resources, a process that allows both renewable heat and battery-grade lithium to be produced from the same geothermal system. By deploying its advanced well testing solutions, Expro will help evaluate and optimize the performance of the Schleidberg well, a key early step in the project’s development.
This project represents a major milestone for Europe’s strategy to strengthen domestic supply chains for energy and critical raw materials. Lithium is a crucial component in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems, and numerous consumer electronics. As the demand for electrification continues to grow across Europe, projects such as Lionheart are becoming increasingly important for reducing reliance on imported lithium and enhancing the region’s energy independence.
Strategic Importance Under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act
The Lionheart Project recently received recognition as a strategic initiative under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). This designation underscores the project’s importance in securing sustainable access to essential minerals required for clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
Europe currently depends heavily on external sources for lithium and other battery materials. By combining geothermal energy production with lithium extraction in Germany, the Lionheart Project aims to create a locally sourced, environmentally responsible supply of lithium while also generating renewable geothermal energy.
This dual-resource model aligns with the EU’s broader climate and industrial policy goals, which include achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and strengthening domestic supply chains for key clean-energy materials.
Scope of Expro’s Well Testing Services
Under the contract, Expro plans to provide a comprehensive range of well testing services for the Schleidberg well. Central to this effort is the deployment of the company’s GeoFlow™ Surface Well Testing package, an advanced system designed specifically for geothermal applications.
Well testing plays a critical role in geothermal development. During this process, engineers measure reservoir characteristics such as pressure, temperature, flow rates, and fluid composition. These measurements help determine the long-term performance potential of the reservoir and ensure that geothermal resources can be produced safely and efficiently.
The data collected during the testing phase will support the technical evaluation of the geothermal reservoir and its lithium-rich brine resources. This information will enable project developers to better understand reservoir behavior, optimize production strategies, and ensure the system operates efficiently over the long term.
The work will support the development activities of VERCANA GmbH and Vulcan Energy, both of which are closely involved in advancing the Lionheart Project. Through the testing campaign, Expro’s technology will help characterize the geothermal reservoir, analyze fluid properties, and assess how the geothermal brine can be utilized to produce both renewable energy and lithium.
Supporting Geothermal Energy and Lithium Extraction
One of the defining aspects of the Lionheart Project is its integration of geothermal energy production with lithium extraction. The geothermal brine produced from underground reservoirs contains dissolved lithium, which can be extracted using advanced direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies.
This approach provides multiple advantages. First, it enables the generation of renewable geothermal heat and power, which can be used locally or fed into regional energy systems. Second, it creates a sustainable pathway for lithium production without the environmental impacts typically associated with traditional mining methods.
Unlike open-pit mining or large evaporation ponds, geothermal lithium extraction uses closed-loop systems that return the brine to the reservoir after lithium has been removed. This reduces surface disruption and water consumption while supporting a more environmentally responsible resource extraction process.
By providing reliable well testing data, Expro’s services will help ensure the geothermal system operates efficiently and sustainably, supporting both energy generation and lithium recovery.
Building on Expro’s Expanding Geothermal Portfolio
The Lionheart Project also marks another step in Expro’s growing involvement in geothermal energy developments across Europe. The company has been supporting geothermal projects for more than four decades, drawing on expertise originally developed in the oil and gas industry.
Many of the technologies used in oilfield well testing, well intervention, and reservoir analysis can be adapted to geothermal applications. As geothermal development accelerates worldwide, energy service companies like Expro are applying these capabilities to help unlock underground heat resources.
Recently, Expro successfully completed a well test for a private geothermal developer in Germany, further demonstrating its ability to support geothermal operations in the region. The experience gained from these projects has helped strengthen the company’s position as a reliable service provider for geothermal developers.
The Lionheart Project builds on this momentum, reinforcing Expro’s role as a key technical partner for companies pursuing renewable geothermal solutions.
Leveraging Regional Expertise
Expro plans to deliver the Lionheart well testing services through its Europe, Mediterranean, and Caspian (EMC) regional teams. These teams will draw on technical expertise from across the company’s well flow management and well intervention divisions.
By leveraging specialized equipment, engineering capabilities, and operational experience, Expro aims to ensure that the well testing campaign is conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with the highest technical standards.
The company’s ability to integrate different service lines—ranging from reservoir analysis to surface well testing—allows project developers to obtain comprehensive insights into geothermal systems. These insights are essential for designing efficient production strategies and minimizing operational risks during geothermal development.
As Europe continues to accelerate its transition toward low-carbon energy systems, the demand for geothermal expertise is expected to grow. Expro’s involvement in projects such as Lionheart reflects the expanding role of traditional oilfield service providers in supporting new energy technologies.
Supporting Europe’s Energy Transition
The development of geothermal energy and lithium resources is becoming increasingly important in Europe’s transition toward sustainable energy systems. Geothermal energy provides a stable, renewable source of heat and power that can operate continuously, unlike intermittent energy sources such as wind or solar.
At the same time, lithium is a key material needed for battery manufacturing, particularly for electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems that help balance renewable electricity grids.
By combining these two resources, the Lionheart Project offers a unique opportunity to support both renewable energy generation and the clean-energy supply chain.
Expro’s participation in the project demonstrates how oilfield technologies can be adapted to support emerging energy sectors. Well testing, reservoir monitoring, and flow management—traditionally used in oil and gas production—are now playing a critical role in unlocking geothermal resources.
Leadership Perspectives on the Partnership
Andrei Ion, Managing Director for Europe, Mediterranean and Caspian at Expro, emphasized the strategic significance of the Lionheart Project and the company’s commitment to supporting geothermal development.
According to Ion, the project highlights how innovation and the adaptation of traditional energy technologies can enable new sustainable energy solutions. He noted that well testing and well intervention services, long associated with the oil and gas sector, are increasingly being applied to geothermal projects and other low-carbon energy systems.
Ion added that the partnership with Vulcan Energy and VERCANA GmbH demonstrates Expro’s ability to deliver safe, efficient, and forward-looking services that support Europe’s long-term energy transition goals.
Advancing Sustainable Resource Development
Marco Köpsel, Managing Director of VERCANA GmbH, also highlighted the importance of working with experienced technology providers during the early stages of geothermal development.
He explained that the first Schleidberg well represents a major step forward in the company’s mission to harness geothermal energy and extract lithium sustainably. The collaboration with Expro will provide the technical expertise needed to evaluate the geothermal reservoir and unlock its full potential.
Köpsel noted that innovative solutions and specialized well testing technologies are essential for advancing pioneering projects like Lionheart. By working with experienced partners, the project team can better understand the geothermal system and develop efficient production strategies.
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