Geothermal Drilling

Geothermal project developers are aware of the importance of risk mitigation during the most important phases of their development.  Successfully connecting the well to the geothermal aquifer is amongst the most important tasks undertaken during the project implementation.  This will determine the success of the whole project.

Owing to the long history of geothermal utilization in Iceland, Mannvit has amassed significant expertise and experience in this unique field, which is not directly transferable from other industries.  Mannvit offers 40 years of experience in providing engineering services for geothermal drilling as well as acting as the client’s representative during third party drilling.

Mannvit services for geothermal drilling:

• Well siting and pad preparation
• Well design
• Bid preparation and tender evaluation
• Supervision of drilling contracts
• Well logging
• Drilling engineering
• Mud logging – on-site geology
• Stimulation
• Inspection of rigs, equipment, materials
• Well work-over programs
• Environmental reports

Project examples:

Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP)

The consortium behind the IDDP includes, HS Orka, Landsvirkjun (National Power Company) and Orkuveita Reykjavíkur (Reykjavik Energy).  Mannvit acts as one of the major consultants responsible for:

• Well design
• Drilling activities
• Study of technology for fluid handling and evaluation

Each member of the consortium aims to drill 4 - 5 km deep boreholes into the roots of a conventional high temperature hydrothermal system located at a rifted plate margin on the mid-oceanic ridge to reach 400 - 600 °C supercritical hydrous fluid.  The first full scale well (IDDP-1) was drilled at Krafla by Landsvirkjun reaching molten magma just below 2100 m.

Geothermal district heating project in Hungary

Mannvit is involved in a large geothermal development project in Hungary and in addition to other services is providing drilling engineering and supervision, well design and all geophysical and geological research for the project.  This drilling project is part of an EPCM contract between Mannvit and the Hungarian geothermal development company, Pannergy.  Mannvit is responsible for all design, bid preparation, tender evaluations, site supervision and commissioning.

Szentlörinc, Hungary - First well depth was 1.8 km and was successfully completed in 2009. Work has begun on a reinjection well of the same depth.

Miskolc, Hungary - Drilling has begun for the first well, with a planned depth of 2.3 km.