Mazama Energy reports 80% drilling time improvement on second geothermal well Project Athena, referring to the second well, was designed to demonstrate faster and more efficient drilling while validating the technologies and processes essential to develop superhot rock geothermal resources. The well will provide pioneering insights into ultra-high temperature rock characteristics and provide evidence for independent certification of a thermally recoverable resource at Newberry of more than 10 GWe.
The results to date demonstrate a significant improvement in drilling performance and provide validation of Mazama’s approach of combining technology innovation with operational excellence to reduce the cost and risk of accessing superhot rock resources. The drilling achieved instantaneous rates of penetration exceeding 350 feet (106 meters) per hour, and sustained rates above 130 feet (40 meters) per hour across extended intervals. https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/mazama-energy-reports-80-drilling-time-improvement-o
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