Consortium starts test drilling for geothermal project in Japan
Close to Hachimantai, Iwate Prefecture, Japan (source: flickr/ By jasohill, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
22 May 2013
Iwate Geothermal Co. - a joint venture by JFE Engineering Co., Japan Metals & Chemical Co, JMC Geothermal Engineering Co. and as of now Mitsui Oil Exploration Co - has started test drilling for a potential 7 MW geothermal power project in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.
Japanese JFE Engineering reports that it has started test drilling for a small 7 MW geothermal power project in the North of Japan.
The project is located in the Iwate Prefecture, Hachimantai Matsuohachimantai region. The development company is Iwate Geothermal Co., Ltd., established in October 2011 by three companies, JFE Engineering, Japan Metals & Chemical Co., Ltd. and JMC Geothermal Engineering Co. The JV is now joined by Mitsui Oil Exploration Co., according to the statement by JFE.
The company conducted a Geothermal Development Promotion Survey commissioned by the National Institute of New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in Hachimantai, Iwate Prefecture.
The company estimates a reservoir temperature of more than 250 degrees Celsius
The project is funded in parts by the National Institute of Oil, Gas and Metals National (“JOGMEC”).
The plan is now to dril one hole for a potential 7 MW plant, as well as to conduct a number of research work and preparing a variety of licensing applications, such as related.
Source: JFE Engineering release (in Japanese) via Bloomberg
