Geothermal exploration in Graz, Austria continues despite unresolved liability issues
View over Graz from Schlossberg to southwest (source: Isiwal, creative commons/ wikimedia)
Carlo Cariaga
11 Feb 2026
OMV has started seismic surveys for geothermal exploration Graz, Austria despite the lack of resolution of previously reported liability issues with the city.
Seismic measurements are starting this week as part of a geothermal exploration campaign in Graz in the province of Styria in Austria. This is despite the disagreement between energy company OMV and the city of Graz over liability issues related to the project, as reported by ThinkGeoEnergy in late 2025.
It is important to note that the liability issues have not yet been resolved. However, utility company Energie Steiermark has provided upfront financing of around EUR 5 million for the seismic survey. The seismic campaign is being executed by OMV and will last until April 2026. Specialized seismic trucks will generate vibrations primarily along public roads. The vibrations will be reflected off subsurface layers and will be captured and recorded by geophones.
Work will start in the Feldbach and Riegersburg areas, in the far east of the scope of the seismic survey. It will then proceed to cover Graz, Graz-Umgebung, Weiz, Voitsberg, Leibnitz, and Deutschlandberg. The status of the survey can be monitored in real-time on an online map made available by OMV. Three trucks will be operating simultaneously. The survey will cover about 900 kilometers in total.
The original plan for the Graz was for OMV, Energie, Steiermark, and Energie Graz to co-develop a 140-MWth geothermal facility that will supply 400 to 500 GWh of heating per year, covering eastern Styria to the greater Graz area starting 2030/2031. However, the city of Graz expressed unwillingness to assume liabilities related to the project which could exceed EUR 200 million.
This scenario highlights the need for better frameworks for public-private collaboration, and the potential value of governments providing early-stake de-risking mechanisms. How the geothermal project will move forward after this initial exploration phase is yet to be determined.
Source: Steiermark.orf.at and Kronen Zeitung
