WorldWide Drilling Resource

Japan Prepares to Drill Geothermal Wells Adapted from a Press Release by Japan Petroleum Exploration Company, Ltd. The Fukushima Geothermal Project Team has been conducting a surface survey of geothermal resources at the area around Mt. Bandai in the Bandai-Asahi National Park. The project has been underway since 2013, with the consent of local communities and the financial support from Japan Oil, Gas, and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC). As the team completed the three-year surface survey and confirmed a promising area to be developed, it will move onto the next phase; drilling survey in the area. The Team consists of 11 companies: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. INPEX CORPORATION Sumitomo Corporation Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. Japan Metals & Chemicals Co., Ltd. Mitsui Oil Exploration Co., Ltd. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. Mitsubishi Corporation Mitsubishi Corporation Power Ltd. Mitsubishi Materials Corporation Geothermal Energy Research & Development Co., Ltd. The team will drill two directional survey wells to investigate underground tem- peratures, geological structures, and explore for a potential underground geothermal reservoir. Based on the results of the drilling survey, the team will set up a plan for drilling development wells and present the plan to the local communities. Once they have received consent from the local communities, the team will decide whether to move on to the feasibility study. During this phase, fluid production and reinjection wells will be drilled. The team will also conduct a demonstrative test and an environmental as- sessment. A ceremony to pray for the safety of the drilling survey was held at the jobsite in June. --- *+ )#)('-()$* !(& )(%#'" +)""+ ,'.*,+ -'"/ 0 . 55 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® OCTOBER 2016