U.S. Geothermal to start drilling programs at Neal Hot Springs
Alexander Richter
22 Eyl 2009
U.S. Geothermal Inc. has initiated development drilling at the Neal Hot Springs Geothermal Project located in eastern Oregon. Well NHS-5, the first well in this new program, is currently drilled to a depth of 300 feet.
As announced by the company, “U.S. Geothermal Inc. (TSX: GTH) has initiated development drilling at the Neal Hot Springs Geothermal Project located in eastern Oregon. Well NHS-5, the first well in this new program, is currently drilled to a depth of 300 feet. The total depth of the well is planned to be drilled to approximately 2,800 feet where it is expected to encounter a large aperture fracture containing geothermal fluid. Up to three large diameter wells, ranging in depth from 2,300 to 3,800 feet are planned in this drilling program.
Construction of the associated drill pads began during the week of August 17, 2009. One drill pad is complete and a second pad is currently under construction. Trinity Drilling of Gillette, Wyoming has been contracted to drill the wells, mobilized their drill rig to the site, and initiated drilling on September 18, 2009. Permits for four exploration wells were received from the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries on September 11, 2009 allowing for expansion of the program based on results. The Bureau of Land Management has issued a Record of Decision for an Environmental Assessment which allows surface access and pad construction to a well site that is located on federal surface lands that overlay private geothermal rights.
In addition to these deep, large diameter production wells, a temperature gradient well program consisting of up to 9 small-diameter wells each approximately 500 feet in depth was initiated during the week of September 7, 2009. The temperature gradient well program will acquire field data necessary to better understand the full geothermal resource potential at Neal Hot Springs.
“Further definition of the Neal Hot Springs geothermal resource is a significant part of our company’s growth plan,” said Daniel Kunz, President and CEO. “These drilling programs are expected to maintain our current project development schedule and help define a geothermal reservoir needed to construct a power plant that will deliver 22 megawatts of electricity.”
Well NHS-1, the first production well at Neal Hot Springs, was drilled in June 2008 and flowed under artesian pressure at a rate of 2,315 gallons per minute with a flowing production temperature of 286.5 degrees F (141 degrees C).
U.S. Geothermal is also very pleased to announce that Dr. Ian Warren has joined the company as Chief Geologist. Dr. Warren is a Registered Professional Geologist who earned his PhD Geology from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and his M.Sc. Geology from Idaho State University. His studies in New Zealand included field and course work at the Geothermal Institute on the geology and geochemistry of modern geothermal systems and epithermal environments. He was formerly a Project Geologist for Yamana Gold Inc. and Meridian Gold Inc. and was a consulting geologist for Cominco Alaska, Cominco American, and White Knight Resources.”
Source: Company announcement via earthtimes.org
