DEEP Earth Energy Production Corp. announced September 10 that the spring/summer flow testing program indicates the temperature and flow rates from the geothermal reservoir in the Deadwood Formation, deep underground, are sufficient to support multiple geothermal power facilities.
DEEP was scheduled to commence drilling in September with the deepest horizontal well to date in Saskatchewan’s history, allowing for the installation of a large diameter submersible pump. The company says that the initial horizontal well will be the first step in constructing the first geothermal power facility in Canada. Early power generation technology is being sourced for immediate self-generation, supplying power for drilling, testing and construction activities for the Williston Basin’s first 20 megawatt geothermal power plant, which can supply enough power for approximately 20,000 households.
Hot (122°C) brine is brought to the surface from a vertical depth of approximately 3,500 metres using an electric submersible pump installed at a depth of 2,800 m. At surface, the brine flows through containment tanks before being re-injected back into the same formation. A chemical tracer injected into Border-1 at the start of the loop test and daily water sampling are providing valuable data to better understand fluid flow dynamics and reservoir parameters.
In addition to geothermal power generation, DEEP is pursuing the utilization of waste oilfield flare gas and solar generation to power the facility’s internal and external parasitic power requirements (cooling towers, lighting, pumps).
“We will produce enough high temperature volume from this first horizontal well to generate power utilizing Organic Rankine Cycle technology,” said Kirsten Marcia, DEEP President & CEO. “We are in the process of procuring a temporary 200-400 kilowatt system, providing on-site power during the upcoming construction phase. It’s an exciting step. … DEEP’s vision to build 100 MW of geothermal power and greenhouse development could be a new $1 billion industry for Southeast Saskatchewan.”