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Drilling has started for a geothermal project for pharmaceutical company in Belgium

Drilling has started for a geothermal project for pharmaceutical company in Belgium Drilling bit (source: Erdwerk)
Alexander Richter 2 Dec 2019

Drilling on the first well for a geothermal project to produce heat for a pharmaceutical plant by Janssen Pharmaceutica ( Johnson & Johnson) has started.

As reported by the participating engineering company ERDWERK, drilling has commenced on December 1, 2019 for the first of two wells for the Janssen Pharmaceutica geothermal project in Beerse, Belgium.

With a target depth of over 2000m vertical, the first well (GT-02 Injection Well) shall target the Dinantian Reservoir.

Driven by Johnson & Johnson’s pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 20 % by 2020 and 80 % by 2050, Janssen is looking to become the first industrial developer of a geothermal project in Belgium.

ERDWERK has been involved in the project since its inception and shall have a full time supervision presence on the drilling site for the duration of drilling and testing.

Janssen wishes to replace the existing combustion plant on the site in Beerse with a geothermal doublet. The site currently consumes more energy than any other Johnson & Johnson site worldwide and has an energy demand that equals 38,000 homes.

The doublet is planned to be drilled to a depth of approximately 2500 m TVD to exploit geothermal water with a temperature of approximately 90 °C. The well site shall be located on the campus between existing buildings.

ERDWERK GmbH has supported Janssen through the development of the project and well design and drilling program and tender process. ERDWERK will act as specialist geothermal consultant for project going forward into the drilling phase.

Source: Erdwerk