Transmark Chile successfully spuds first well in Chile
Drill site at San Alberto, Chile (source: Transmark Chile)
Alexander Richter
15 Nov 2013
Dutch firm Transmark Chile announces it has successfully spudded its first geothermal exploration well on its San Alberto project site in Chile.
Announced in a release yesterday, Transmark Chile (part of Transmark Renewables with projects in Turkey, the Netherlands and Chile) has successfully spudded its first geothermal exploration well in Chile, in its San Alberto license area. After an efficient preparation, including the involvement of all local authorities and communities, last week the first section has been drilled and casing set. With the aim to confirm the conceptual model in the area, this first exploration well does provide Transmark Chile a remarkable milestone in the company’s young existence.
The concession of San Alberto covers an area of approximately 990 km2 and lies in Chile’s northern Antofagasta region, close to the international borders of Argentina and Bolivia. The surrounding environment is characterized as highland tundra/desert (Altiplano). Within the concession area, elevation changes between 4,200m and 5,100m.
During the past months, a variety of exploration techniques have been applied to the area. These include desktop research, remote sensing, structural geological mapping, a Magneto Telluric survey, geochemical water analysis and Magnetic/Mantle/Radiogenic (MMR) gas sampling.
The surveys with a specific focus allowed for in depth review of the experienced in-house exploration team and confirmations from multiple well-known experts in their fields. These have concluded to a conceptual geothermal model of the area that supports geothermal energy production. Based on the model, temperatures between 180 and 220 degrees Celsius are expected at greater depth.
Positioned on the “ring of fire”, Chile is one of the most attractive countries for the utilization of geothermal energy worldwide. Currently, Chile is still a net energy importer and the demand is expected to increase over the coming years. The Chilean government has earmarked geothermal energy as one of the key components in order to support this growing domestic energy need. Transmark Chile has a dedicated strategy to remain a leading player in the Chilean geothermal market.”
Source: Transmark
