26 NOVEMBER 2024 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Booth 521 Geothermal Drilling and Testing Underway Adapted from Information by Ireland’s Department for the Economy Exploratory geothermal drilling and testing on the grounds of Stormont Estate, which is the site of Northern Ireland’s Parliament buildings, has begun as part of its Department for the Economy’s GeoEnergy NI project. Economy Minister Conor Murphy, Finance Minister Dr. Caoimhe Archibald, and U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs Joe Kennedy III were among the first to visit the first borehole drill location. The project milestone represents an important stage of the overall demonstrator project which is examining both shallow and deep geothermal energy in two locations in Northern Ireland. It is believed geothermal energy could play an important role in how to decarbonize the energy sector in pursuit of net zero carbon targets by 2050. The GeoEnergy NI project is showcasing geothermal energy and its potential as a lowcarbon and renewable energy source and will inform the development of a policy and regulatory framework which can support its uptake across Northern Ireland. At Stormont, the study is examining shallow geothermal potential and its possible future application to provide sustainable low-carbon, renewable heating and cooling systems for a number of preidentified buildings on the Estate. It is hoped the project will result in a future geothermal heat network to replace the current fossil fuel heating systems at some of the buildings. The second study is exploring the potential for a future deep geothermal borehole project on the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise Greenmount campus near Antrim. Welcoming the latest milestone, Economy Minister Conor Murphy said, “Our economic vision embraces the transition towards net zero which is both a legal duty under the Climate Change Act and a moral obligation for future generations. Geothermal energy, alongside other renewable technologies, can play an important role in how we decarbonize our economy. Despite being in its infancy, the geothermal sector is well-positioned to thrive and, with the right investment and support, it can deliver real economic opportunities that will improve productivity, cultivate good jobs, and promote regional balance across the region. Whilst the North is fortunate to have very suitable geology for geothermal energy, it remains a relatively untapped resource here compared to other countries. That is why the GeoEnergy NI project is exploring and showcasing our geothermal potential - helping us discover the heat beneath our feet.” It is estimated the drilling and testing phase of the Stormont feasibility study will take approximately six months. It will involve the drilling and testing of five boreholes, four of which will be hydrogeology boreholes around 820 feet deep, and one borehole will be drilled to 1640 feet depth. A series of tests and analyses, including downhole geophysics, will then be carried out on the boreholes to identify the optimum numbers and depths of boreholes required to deliver renewable heat to the Stormont Estate. GEO
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