WorldWide Drilling Resource

More Generation Capacity Discovered in Nevada Adapted from Information by U.S. Geothermal, Inc. U.S. Geothermal Inc. was thrilled to announce the geothermal potential esti- mates associated with its San Emidio II project in Nevada has increased from ear- lier estimates of 10 net megawatts, to a pos sible generation capacity of up to 47 net megawatts. In early 2016, five 1000-foot temperatu re gradient wells were drilled in the Southwest Zone; and later in the year, two of those wells were deepened. Both wells, app roximately 1700 feet apart, intersected a high-permeability, high-temperature geo- thermal reservoir. Data from flow tests on th ese two wells were in- corporated into a Probabilistic Power Densit y model developed by Geothermal Science Inc., an independent ge othermal reservoir en- gineering company. Based on the flow rate and temperature pro- duced by the two wells, and by measuremen t of pressure response across the wellfield, the model estimates the area encompassed by the five wells drilled last year has a 90% p robability of 18.8 net megawatts of generation capacity as the mi nimum. A larger area, defined by additional temperature gradient wells and geophysics, has a 50% probability of 47 net megawatts o f generation capacity and was rated as the most likely outcome. “This large increase in the size of the Sa n Emidio II reservoir is an exceptional result from our development program,” said Dennis Gilles, CEO. “Having the ability to add a larger power plant to our San Emidio complex will help reduce capital and operating costs, and give us a very cost competi- tive project. Additionally, it will allow us to deploy two, or possibly three, of the previously acquired power plants whose acquisition we had announced in early 2016.” The three remaining 1000-foot-deep temperature gradient wells all have high temperature gradients, as well as down- hole temperatures indicating an active geothermal resource exists. If the three wells intersect a geothermal resource with similar permeability and tempera- tures, resources may be further ex- panded, increasing its power generation estimates. Editor’s Note: In between our print issues, the WWDR Team prepares an electronic newslet- ter called E-News Flash . Based on readership, this was the most popular E-News Flash article of the m onth. Get in on the action and subscribe today at: www.worldwidedrillingresource.com 41 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® MAY 2017