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Positive signs on the horizon for the Australian geothermal sector

Positive signs on the horizon for the Australian geothermal sector Drilling rig at Paralana project of Petratherm, Australia (source: Petratherm)
Alexander Richter 20 Jul 2011

There are signs that show there is light at the end of the tunnel for the geothermal energy sector in Australia, with the details on the carbon tax scheme recently announced and some positive news on tests with the Paralana project by developer Petratherm.

A recent article in ClimateSpectator describes the signs that show there is some light at the end of the tunnel for the geothermal energy sector in Australia. The clarification on details for the carbon tax scheme and finally some positive news from company projects.

“The aspiring geothermal energy company Petratherm, after experiencing months of delays caused by unseasonal rains, has just completed fracture stimulation tests that indicate its resource in the north of South Australia is deeper, wider and hotter than it previously thought.

Over the past two years, that is a conclusion that could rarely be reached by the small band of geothermal explorers that have managed to secure the funds to drill wells. Results have delivered either a lack of heat or a lack of porosity, or in the case of Geodynamics, a nasty reaction with the chemicals lying deep beneath the surface. It forced the anticipated timetable for the rollout of geothermal energy – seen by many as potentially the most effective replacement for fossil fuels – to be set back, and questions to be raised if it could ever fill its expected role.

For Petratherm and its partners Beach Energy and TRUenergy, however, the fracture stimulation test undertaken by the US giant Halliburton over the past week at the Paralana 2 well, have been overwhelmingly positive.

The testing, which involves injecting millions of litres down a well at high pressure, setting off thousands of “micro-earthquakes”,  indicated micro-fracturing occurred as far as 900 metres to the east of the well – far beyond the 500m hoped for – and at depth of 3,500m to 4,000m. And it found considerable heat, from 176C at 3,750m to estimates of 190C at 4,000m.”

The article then goes a little bit in more detail about Petratherm’s project, as well as Geodynamics’ project.

So while clearly geothermal development faces challenges in Australia, there are some signs for things looking up.

Source: Climate Specatator