Time:
-
Date:
8 October 2021

Recent Drilling Advancements and Technology Transfer Panel

Drilling professionals including rig and service company representatives, an Oil & Gas engineer and drilling efficiency expert, and developers of traditional and EGS projects gather on one stage to discuss the realities of testing and implementation of technology advancements that are improving drilling and completion rates in traditional hydrothermal development and opening the potential for new kinds of heat-harnessing technology. Moderated by Bill Rickard, Geothermal Resource Group 

Purpose for the panel:

  • Discussion of and obstacles to the dissemination of recent advancements in drilling technology and the transfer of O&G drilling technology to Geothermal drilling.
    • Cost of Drilling has been established as a significant barrier to development of both traditional geothermal plays as well as development of engineered geothermal systems and alternate or advanced geothermal systems
    • Several new EGS/AGS companies are beginning their drilling campaigns (either with federal assistance or privately), who are engaging Drilling Expertise in the form of consulting, equipment and materials that come from and O&G drilling experience alongside long time Geothermal Drilling experts
    • Differences between traditional geothermal drilling and traditional O&G drilling are well established, historical ‘technology transfer’ from O&G drilling to traditional geothermal drilling has required evolution of the technology for use in the geothermal drilling conditions and the immediate results of use of such technologies have not been instant successes, some of these are documented in geothermal technical literature, some not

 

Topics of discussion:

  • What techniques are showing promise or actual drilling cost reduction?
  • What techniques need further study?
  • What is the experience in the field in implementing ‘new’ technology in the traditional or EGS environment?
  • What are planned activities to make further advancements?
  • What are the obstacles to adoption of technology transfer and how do we implement changes in the field?
  • How do the improvements impact geothermal development?