Gradient Geothermal joins Colorado study to repurpose abandoned oil wells for geothermal energy
Gradient Geothermal’s two sled solution for power generation in oilfield is seen here at the central facility of Blackburn oil field, Nevada. Gradient received an award from the US Department of Energy to implement up to 1 MW of power generation at Blackburn. (source: Gradient Geothermal)
Carlo Cariaga
10 Mar 2026
Gradient Geothermal will be participating in a study that evaluates the potential for orphaned oil and gas wells in Colorado to produce geothermal energy.
Gradient Geothermal (Gradient) has announced that it will be supporting supporting a technical study to evaluate the potential to repurpose orphaned oil and gas wells across Colorado for geothermal energy production, and assess synergies between geothermal development and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).
“This study represents an important step in turning orphaned wells from environmental liabilities into community assets,” said Benjamin Burke, CEO of Gradient Geothermal. “Repurposing existing infrastructure for geothermal energy can reduce methane emissions, create local jobs, and deliver reliable, low-emission power to Colorado communities.”
The study is being led by the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) and the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) with the aim of transforming state liabilities into clean energy assets while also advancing the state’s net-zero greenhouse gas goals. Gradient will conduct engineering evaluations of wells within ECMC’s Orphaned Well Program to determine their suitability for electricity generation or direct-use geothermal applications.
The project will culminate in a publicly available dataset of orphaned wells and a final report outlining technical findings, pilot project recommendations, and policy guidance. Through this collaboration, the State of Colorado continues to demonstrate how pragmatic, science-based energy transition strategies can reduce emissions, strengthen energy resilience, and accelerate energy-positive and economic innovation.
Gradient Geothermal is a Denver-based energy technology company that partners with operators and industrial facilities to convert existing wells and produced heat streams into scalable renewable energy through the deployment of modular thermal and geothermal energy solutions. The company had also just recently entered a partnership to deploy behind-the-meter geothermal solutions for AI facilities, starting with a pilot project in California.
“We are excited to collaborate with Gradient Geothermal on this evaluation of repurposing potential across existing orphaned wells in Colorado,” said Julie Murphy, Director of Colorado’s ECMC. “This work will help inform related regulatory process development and help to better understand how existing wells may be safely and effectively repurposed for other beneficial uses.”
Source: Gradient Geothermal via PR Newswire
