The First Results of the DESCRAMBLE Project

Abstract

The DESCRAMBLE project has developed novel drilling technologies for a proof-of-concept test of reaching deep geothermal supercritical resources. In the project we have drilled and tested the continental-crust condition for demonstrating novel drilling techniques, the control of gas emissions and high temperature/pressure conditions expected from the deep fluids. The project has also improved knowledge of deep chemical-physical conditions for predicting and controlling future drilling conditions. The test site has been an existing dry well in Larderello, Italy, already drilled to a depth of 2.2 km and temperature of 350 °C, which was deepened to 3 kilometer depth reaching supercritical conditions. The productivity and efficiency of the project were ensured by the combination of industrial and research participation and by the recognised expertise of the consortium in geothermal R&D as well as oil and gas drilling, combining excellence in both sectors. DESCRAMBLE's results will be presented in this paper, covering all the main aspects of the project: drilling procedures, material, well control, mud logging, well testing, modelling, geochemical and geophysical surveys and monitoring, petrographic and petrophysical evaluations and very high temperature and pressure logging tool. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon2020 Research and Innovation Program under grant agreement No 640573 (Project DESCRAMBLE)