| Title | Next Generation Geothermal Technology Reaches Higher Temperatures |
|---|---|
| Authors | John Clegg, Matthew White, Peter Harvey, Steve Krase |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS) represent the next frontier in geothermal energy, leveraging proven directional drilling technologies from the oil and gas sector to access heat in regions previously unreachable through conventional hydrothermal wells. Accurate well placement, typically involving horizontal trajectories, is critical to the success of these unconventional systems. The oil and gas industry brings decades of expertise and mature directional drilling capabilities, instrumental in drilling next generation geothermal wells. However, to make EGS and AGS economically viable at scale, wells must be drilled and completed at significantly higher temperatures, beyond the thermal limits of current oil and gas equipment. Bridging this performance gap requires a step change in the thermal resilience of electronics in downhole equipment. To guide this transition, a technology roadmap will be shared to adapt directional drilling and measurement capabilities to meet the need for high temperature geothermal applications. Real-time sensing, measurement, control, actuation, and reliable downhole communication are essential, not only to improve precision and efficiency, but to ensure long-term access and maintenance of geothermal wellbores. A key milestone in the roadmap is the deployment of a Measurement While Drilling (MWD) tool capable of operating at circulating temperatures up to 210°C. Future developments aim to push downhole electronic systems to withstand temperatures up to 300°C, enabling access to superhot rock systems with significantly higher energy potential. Advances in high temperature electronics and robust telemetry systems will be central to this evolution to reduce costs and enhance scalability of geothermal energy. |