The Superhot Blueprint: Part 3
We know more about the surface of other planets than we do about the subsurface of our own. So the first stage of superhot geothermal development is getting a good view of what lies beneath.
In the characterization stage, geophysical surveys and confirmation wells tell us where to drill and how best to optimize the geothermal reservoir for maximum power output.
We already have geophysical surveys available, and the next step will be drilling our confirmation well at our first commercial site later this year.
Video Transcript
We know more about the surface of other planets than we do about the subsurface of our own. So the first stage of superhot geothermal development is getting a good view of what lies beneath.
Tier one sites, or those with geothermal gradients above 60 degrees Celsius per kilometer, are limited worldwide and can only provide hundreds of gigawatts of superhot geothermal power for 5% of the world's population. Yet, they are the prime locations to start unlocking the true power of superhot geothermal, at minimum risk, by leveraging widely available and mature techniques from the oil and gas industry.
Geophysical surveys come first. They help us see below the surface, including magnetic, gravity, and seismic surveys to map out important geologic features such as faults, and depth to basement. This data tells us where to drill safely, and how best to optimize the geothermal reservoir for maximum power output.
A confirmation well comes second. It helps us collect data on rock type, pressure, natural fractures, stress in the rock, and confirm how far down we must go to reach our superhot target temperatures of 300 to 500 degrees Celsius. It also helps us determine where, and in which direction, to drill injection and production wells, to extract the thermal energy from the ground below.
We already have geophysical surveys available, and the next step will be drilling our confirmation well at our first commercial site later this year.