WorldWide Drilling Resource

43 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® JULY 2013 Bill in Montana Could Create More Geothermal Drilling Adapted from Information by the Office of Senator Jon Tester Montana Senator Jon Tester intro- duced a bill to create jobs and increase energy security by utilizing the state's geothermal resources. Tester's Geothermal Exploration and Technology Act, cosponsored by Alaska’s Senator Mark Begich, aims to improve geothermal technology and increase the use of geothermal energy. The bill also directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a revolving loan fund for energy developers to drill geothermal exploration wells. Under the bill, applicants will be select- ed based on the potential for unproven geothermal resource, the expertise and experience of the applicant, as well as the overall importance of the project to meet the goals of the DOE. Tester's bill also encourages leasing with production oil and gas wells along- side geothermal wells. This may make it possible for some oil and gas wells to run on geothermal power instead of diesel generators. Advances in geothermal technology have the potential to create more than half of the current U.S. electricity pro- duction. Since the drilling equipment and practices for geothermal wells is similar to water and oil wells, they can employ the same drilling professionals. "Montana needs to take advantage of every responsible ener- gy opportunity across our state to create jobs and lead our nation toward energy inde- pendence," Tester said. "My bill makes it easier for folks already work- ing in this field to tap into the resources below our feet." The bill also directs the Secretary of Energy to create a program for the re- search, development, demonstration, and commercial application of geothermal heat pumps and for the direct use of geo- thermal energy. This would include: f Ground loop efficiency improve- ments through more efficient heat- transfer fluids and more efficient thermal grouts. f Cost reduction for ground-loop installation through improved drilling methods, in addition to improvements in drilling equipment, design method- ology, and energy analysis proce- dures. f Installing geothermal ground loops near the foundation walls of new construction to take advantage of existing structures. f Using the hot water found in mines and mine shafts as the heat-ex- change medium. The bill could also help the state build its first geothermal power plant. Montana has more than 50 geothermal areas and at least 15 high-temperature sites. "There's a couple of areas in the state that are interesting, but nobody's ever had the funding or bravery to go drill 'em," said state geologist John Metesh, director Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. Tester said data collected from all exploration wells, even if the well isn’t hot enough for power production, will be use- ful in mapping national geothermal re- sources.