Geothermal Drilling – Keep It Simple

Abstract

The cost of drilling geothermal wells has risen dramatically over the past 10 years - this rise in costs is out of proportion with inflation and with the cost increases seen in plant and steam gathering system construction. Drilling is now a much larger part of total project cost pie. This increased drilling cost is now threatening the viability of many geothermal projects.

There is little we can do to control Drilling Contractor, Service Company, and the Drilling materials costs – these are largely influenced by the Oil & Gas Industry market.

We can however, have some influence over the costs associated with:- Bureaucracy and Management; Procurement processes; Well location and Drilling Pad preparation; Well Design; Casing specification; Drill Bit and Bottom Hole Assembly Components; Cementing Techniques; Mud Engineering; Directional Drilling; and Completion Testing. It is clearly evident that if we seek to simplify all of these processes drilling risk and drilling cost can be optimised and reduced.

Keep It Simple!!