The viability of geothermal energy extraction has been proven twice this July in the United States; Fervo Energy’s Project Red in northern Nevada, and the Utah Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) in southwestern Utah. At both of these EGS demonstrations, connectivity to each reservoir has been achieved!
Fervo’s Project Red has proven low permeability hot dry rocks (HDR) are viable geothermal resources and can be engineered to increase permeability with EGS. Fervo achieved high circulation rates (60 L/s) with fairly uniform flow distribution in. This proves EGS is capable of not only economic production but thermal longevity too! Fervo has taken lessons from the oil and gas industry and applied them to Project Red and has successfully set a new standard for EGS development by relying on opening mode fracturing instead of shear stimulation.
FORGE is a Department of Energy – Geothermal Technologies Office funded demonstration of EGSs. FORGE has a promising start to their initial well tests. They have confirmed reservoir connectivity through stimulation of their 16(a) geothermal injection well, showcasing the successful interconnected pathways for heat extraction.
The confirmation of reservoir connectivity is a crucial step forward for EGS technology in general. It provides valuable insights into the behavior of geothermal reservoirs and the effectiveness of fluid stimulation techniques in enhancing energy extraction. This brings us closer to a more sustainable and clean energy future and proves that the ambitious goals for EGS and the geothermal industry as a whole can be achieved.
MicroThermal Energy draws on MicroSeismic Inc.’s expertise of monitoring hydraulic fracturing for the oil and gas industry to map and monitor geothermal resources. We recognize the significance of the achievements of Fervo Energy and FORGE, and we look forward to what else we can achieve together.
References:
Fervo Energy Announces Technology Breakthrough in Next-Generation Geothermal – Fervo Energy
Utah FORGE project confirms connectivity of EGS reservoir (thinkgeoenergy.com)