26 DECEMBER 2023 Successful Test of New Geothermal Drilling Technology Adapted from Information by Fervo Energy Fervo Energy has successfully completed the well test at its full-scale commercial pilot, Project Red, in northern Nevada. The successful well test confirmed the commercial viability of Fervo’s drilling technology and establishes Project Red as the most productive enhanced geothermal system in history. Fervo is the first company to successfully drill a horizontal well pair for commercial geothermal production, achieving lateral lengths of 3250 feet, reaching a temperature of 375ºF (191°C), and proving controlled flow through rigorous tracer testing. The company implemented an induced seismicity mitigation protocol following best practices established by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and completed the project without incident. Data collected through the pilot will enable rapid advancement in geothermal deployment, with the company’s next horizontal well pair planned to achieve more than double the power output of the pilot design. “By applying drilling technology from the oil and gas industry, we have proven that we can produce 24/7 carbon-free energy resources in new geographies across the world. The incredible results we share today are the product of many years of dedicated work and commitment from Fervo employees and industry partners, especially Google,” explained Tim Latimer, Fervo Energy CEO and cofounder. In 2021, Fervo and Google signed the world’s first corporate agreement to develop next-generation geothermal power. The goal of the partnership is to power Google’s Cloud region in Las Vegas with an “always-on,” carbon-free resource which will reduce the company’s hourly reliance on fossil fuels. “Achieving our goal of operating on 24/7 carbon-free energy will require new sources of firm, clean power to complement variable renewables like wind and solar,” said Michael Terrell, senior director for energy and climate for Google. “We partnered with Fervo in 2021 because we see significant potential for their geothermal technology to unlock a critical source of 24/7 carbon-free energy at scale, and we are thrilled to see Fervo reach this important technical milestone.” The results from Fervo’s Project Red support the findings of the DOE Enhanced Geothermal Earthshot and show geothermal energy could supply more than 20% of the country’s power needs and compliment wind and solar to reach a fully decarbonized grid. Fervo’s drilling and well test results could pave the way for the U.S. to meet its goal ahead of schedule; with Fervo’s breakthrough, no technological barriers to geothermal deployment remain. Jesse Jenkins, assistant professor and leader of the Zero-carbon Energy systems Research and Optimization (ZERO) lab at Princeton University said, “Power systems modeling confirms that geothermal can be a critical player in a fully decarbonized grid. Fervo’s successful commercial pilot takes next-generation geothermal technology from the realm of models into the real world and starts us on a path to unlock geothermal’s full potential.” GEO For more information call: (270) 786-3010 or visit us online: www.geothermalsupply.com All New! Atlantis-Pro Vault • Traffic-Rated Capable • Simple installation • Trouble-free operation See us at Groundwater Week ~ Booth 685
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