WorldWide Drilling Resource

Assisting a Growing Market Adapted from Information by Vallourec Geothermal projects are spreading throughout the world, producing more electricity through green energy as a rise in technological advancements take place. Out of the global potential for using geothermal energy, only around 7% of it is actually being utilized; however, the figure is expected to grow fivefold for electricity production and twofold for urban heating by 2030. Vallourec, a leader in premium tubular solutions who primarily serves the energy markets, intends to position itself as a leading partner in the growing geothermal market. Vallourec will assist Fonroche Géothermie, the leading French company in high-temperature geothermal energy, with the exploration phase of a project focused on underground reserves in Alsace, France, on the site of the former Reichstett refinery and the Eckbolsheim site. The project will involve drilling one or two pairs of injection and production wells, meaning Vallourec will provide 1700-3400 tons of semipremium and premium tubes and connections depending on if two or four wells are drilled. A team of site engineers who can be contacted at any time to go to platforms and install Vallourec products will also be involved to supervise the on-site descent. The drilling of the first well is expected to begin in June. If results are positive, production will start soon thereafter. This contract follows a similar one obtained last spring for the geothermal plant at Holzkirchen, in Bavaria, Germany, in which Vallourec successfully delivered 1500 tons of tubes. The Holzkirchen power plant whose operation began this year, called for the drilling of two wells to a depth of over 1600 feet. The initial well brings the geothermal water to the sur- face at a temperature of 280ºF (140°C). A steam generator and heat exchanger then uses the hot water to produce elec- tricity and heat. Once cooled, the water follows its loop back down into the cal- careous aquifer, descending through the second well. The plant is expected to cover up to 80% of the heating needs for the town of Holzkirchen and will reduce annual CO 2 emissions signi f icant ly when compared to the plant’s alterna- tive energy source. The casing and tubing provided by Vallourec are premium steel tubular so- lutions without soldered joints, initially designed for the oil and gas sector, which are used to consolidate the wells in a gas-tight manner designed to resist harsh conditions -temperatures over 356ºF (180°C) and external pressures up to 743 bars. Vallourec is committed to re- newable energy, and assisting the drilling industry in procuring the growing energy potential provided by geothermal wells. 51 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® APRIL 2017