The Geothermal Exploration and Development Process: Graphical Representation Path to Optimal Decision Making

Abstract

Putting geothermal exploration into the development context is a critical element of business development. Without the resource there is no development; without the financing there is no project. Managing these two aspects of development and the interplay between the geoscience side of the equation and finance side is a critical part of a successful project. Helping the finance side understand the geoscience side and vice versa plays a vital role in ensuring that the project is ?right sized?. Thoughtful analysis of the critical decisions to be made by both sides of the equation along the development path is what will result in a successful project. A successful project is one that comes in with the required megawatts to be profitable in a time frame that there is an adequate return on investment. This paper presents two graphical tools to assist development teams in understanding their role in the development process from greenfield to electrons down a wire.