Interview series: Shuman Moore, CEO of Oski Energy

Drilling rig on site of 30 MW Bald Mountain geothermal project (source: Oski Energy)

Alexander Richter 20 Oct 2010

ThinkGeoEnergy continues its interview series with Shuman Moore, the Chief Executive Officer of U.S. geothermal developer Oski Energy.

How would you describe yourself?

I have been in the power industry for 33 years: 15 years at Foster Wheeler Energy Corp., working worldwide on all types of fuels and technologies for power generation; 5 years at Environmental elements, an international air pollution control company cleaning all types of flue gas emissions from power plants and process and industrial applications, 3 years at Constellation Energy managing their Latin American power business, and 10 years in the geothermal industry, 5 years as a consultant and 5 years running two different geothermal independent power producer (IPP) development companies. I have built, operated and maintained power plants, managed businesses, negotiated power purchase agreements and epc contracts from both sides of the table on 4 continents.

How would you describe your company and your key activities?

I am the Chief Executive of Oski Energy, LLC. Oski is a full service, domestic US focused, geothermal IPP and development platform company. We have 12 projects in four states and one operating plant. Six of our projects are ready to drill production wells. We have 2 DOE ARRA grants; one for innovative conversion technology using a Kalex ammonia water cycle for $2mm, and one for innovative exploration techniques with 2.5d seismic analysis for $4.2mm.

Oski’s 13 person staff is the best experienced, hands on team in the industry that is capable of doing the work as well as managing it. Oski purchased the geothermal exploration company EGS, Inc. in July of 2010, so we now have the premier exploration and production capability in the business as well.

What are your key projects in the United States and what is their development status and outlook?

Oski has three priority projects: (i) Our North Geysers projects (3 contiguous projects compromising ~8,500 acres in the hottest part of the Geysers production area) which contain 5 wells that were drilled, successfully flowed and properly shut in by Unocal in the early 1980’s. two of the three sites are significantly through the initial permitting process for drilling additional wells; (ii) Our Hot Pot project in North Central Nevada is ~32,000 acres with hot springs on the property, located in behind and adjacent to the NV Energy Valmy coal fired power station. The project will focus on ~14,000 acres initially and is ready to drill slim holes and production wells, in conjunction with our DOE ARRA program; (iii) Our Bald Mountain project in NE California has a small operating geothermal plant and will expand to a 30 MW facility over the next 3 years. Oski just completed a new production well there and will continue to drill additional wells next spring, also in conjunction with our DOE ARRA program.

What do you consider the key obstacles and challenges for increased development in the U.S.?

The industry needs to see improvement in available equity and project financing, continuation of the tax credit programs, greater transmission availability and access, streamline environmental permitting on federal lands, assure local tax abatement for Nevada projects, improve energy conversion efficiencies, develop more technology and EPC suppliers, and improve drilling techniques to provide less risk and lower costs.

What do you think holds back speedier development of geothermal energy projects globally?

Poor access to capital, low power purchase pricing and high in-country political risk.

What are your expectations for the event in Sacramento and who are you looking forward to meet?

As always, the GRC is a great opportunity to network with colleagues, meet new comers to the industry, expand project opportunities and catch up on the latest technical developments, all in one place.

Company website: www.oskienergy.com