WorldWide Drilling Resource

Are the Dutch Moving Toward Geothermal Energy? Adapted from Information by Shell Shell has submitted a permit application to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate for the development of geo- thermal energy in the Rotterdam region of the Netherlands. With its knowledge and expertise, as well as cooperation with customers, companies, and the local government, Shell thinks it can make a positive contribution to the role of geo- thermal energy in the Dutch energy transition. For Shell, this initiative is the next step in aiding the transition, alongside existing activities in sustainable mobility, wind, and solar energy. With the development of geothermal energy at the local level, the company looks to contribute to the sustainability of the heat supply in the region. In a recent policy letter from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, geothermal energy is mentioned as an important future energy source for sustainable heat in human-made surroundings and green- house horticulture. Rotterdam is an important region for the acceleration of the Dutch energy transition. Several permit applications for geothermal energy from various par- ties are running in and around this area. If the l icense requested by Shel l is granted, they will map the geothermal potential in the region concerned. This can lead to a first test drilling and pro- duction of geothermal energy by the end of 2020, and possibly several drillings in the following years. Satellite image of a port near Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 28 APRIL 2019 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Centerline Manufacturing is a Valued WWDR Advertiser. Centerline Manufacturing is proud to offer HYPerformance gear-driven duplex pumps. They are designed for higher per- formance - with shorter lengths, narrower widths, and quieter, smoother operation. With projected specifications of 330 gallons per minute displacement, which is over twice that of a 5x6 pump, the patent-pending Centerline HYPerformance pump is great for all drilling needs. GEO Environmental Monitoring by Thomas Kwader, Ph.D., P.G. Why Does Our Groundwater Sometimes Change Color or Taste? Have you ever seen a source of groundwater that appeared to be turbid (colored), taste “funny”, or have an odor when coming out of a faucet? The change in taste or color could be from the plumbing - such as iron water pipes which can taint the water to a reddish-orange or have a metallic taste. This could also be attributed to water not moving very fast through the pipes, which tends to dissolve some iron from galvanized or ductile iron in pipes. Tap water from groundwater sources can change in taste and/or color from natural causes also. Drinking water supplied from a shallow well located in or near a “high recharge area” can be impacted from chemicals or compounds traveling in surface water, which then percolates downward into the groundwater table. Very fine-grained and/or soluble materials, such as clays or road deicing salts, could periodically impact groundwater quality after heavy rains. Petroleum products can also enter our groundwater supplies from spills or leaking tanks and can be tasted in our tap water in as low as in the parts per million (ppm) and per billion (ppb) range. Many of these incidents have been well-documented. I was once involved in a study at a public elementary school where the water from drinking water fountains would turn almost black after a heavy rain. The source turned out to be some cypress swamps that would flood after a heavy rain and drain directly into sinkholes, which then moved rapidly into the shallow aquifer supplying the school’s water system. Also, be careful not to locate shallow wells near downgradient of septic tank drain fields or fertilizers. Periodic water testing is recommended when potential sources of contamination are likely to be present in the area. Usually, changes in taste or color indicate the water well may be too shallow, or in close proximity to a contaminated groundwater source. A professional hydrogeologist should be able to help identify potential upgradient source(s) of the problem. Tom Tom Kwader may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com ENV