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An Update of Activities and Plans at Utah FORGE
Kristie MCLIN
[Energy And Geoscience Institute, University of Utah, USA]
The Utah Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (Utah FORGE) is the U.S. Department of Energy’s dedicated field laboratory for advancing enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) technology in low-permeability, high-temperature crystalline rock. Since being awarded the FORGE designation in 2018, Utah FORGE has progressed through multiple development phases focused on site characterization, drilling, stimulation, circulation testing, and open data sharing to reduce the cost and risk of EGS deployment. This presentation provides an update on recent activities and outlines near- and mid-term plans at the Utah FORGE site near Milford, Utah. Major accomplishments to date include significant reductions in drilling time and cost through optimized drilling practices and novel polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit designs, successful drilling and stimulation of highly deviated geothermal wells, demonstration of commercial-scale flow rates and temperatures, and pioneering applications of fiber-optic sensing and advanced microseismic monitoring in high-temperature environments. Utah FORGE has also supported a broad external R&D portfolio, resulting in new tools and technologies for drilling, stimulation, and reservoir monitoring. Current activities focus on Phase 4A circulation testing, including construction and commissioning of surface facilities, extended-duration circulation between existing wells, and comprehensive seismic, thermal, and geochemical monitoring. Results from this testing will guide the placement and design of an additional instrumented well and inform subsequent stimulation and longer-term circulation experiments. Planned work aims to further evaluate reservoir connectivity, thermal sustainability, and operational performance under conditions relevant to commercial EGS development. Collectively, these efforts continue to advance the technical foundation needed to achieve DOE cost and deployment goals for geothermal energy.
Topic: Introduction