Putting Rigs Back to Work: Article from The Hitch

The Geothermal Collaboration Network is a group formed by industry partners with the goal of putting oil and gas workers back to work within the geothermal industry. The Hitch’s article “Putting Rigs Back to Work” describes how this can be done.

According to Dr. Catherine Hickson of Geothermal Canada, Alberta has significant areas where temperatures are high enough to extract heat for direct-use applications and, in some locations, power production. Hickson said direct-use geothermal applications could include space heating, heating a green house, or providing the energy needed for industrial processes. The main difference between an oil well and a geothermal well, is that a geothermal well has a much larger diameter than a typical oil or gas well, said Hickson. The large diameter is required to accommodate the large electrical submersible pumps required to lift the large quantities to hot brine to the surface. A geothermal well is also constructed to last decades.

Project Update: Garibaldi Geothermal Volcanic Belt Assessment

The Garibaldi Geothermal Volcanic Belt Assessment Project is an “ongoing project is assessing the geothermal potential of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt in BC’s Southwest Region, building on research stretching back to the mid-1970s. The multi-partner collaborative project is using modern geophysical and geological techniques and concepts.” This involves researchers from the Geological Survey of Canada plus 7 Universities (UBC, SFU, DC, UofA, UofC, ETH, Quest). The data collection from summer 2019 included 34 people in the field (375 person days).

On May 7, 2020, Geoscience BC hosted an online Open House meeting to discuss the details and results of the 2019 field work with presentations from Dr. Steve Grasby and Geoscience BC President Carlos Salas. Both presentations and a recording of the meeting are available on the project website.

OERA Request for Proposals due May 1, 2020

We would like to alert the geothermal community of the following Request for Proposals put out by OERA. OERA is a not for profit research association focused on removing barriers to the development of Nova Scotia’s energy resources.

“On behalf of the Nova Scotia Department Energy & Mines and Department of Agriculture, OERA is seeking proposals for a study to compile available geological, geothermal, geophysical and hydrogeological information, provide a preliminary opinion on the potential for geothermal development in Nova Scotia, and recommend next steps to further de-risk targeted areas. This project will also describe the economic case for potential geothermal resource exploration and development in the province. This work supports the Province’s broad energy policy objectives related to climate change, inclusive economic development and the sustainable development of Nova Scotia’s energy resources. Proposals are due by Friday May 1, 2020 at 5:00PM AST.”