JOGMEC, Geo Dipa collaborate on research work to identify acidic geothermal fluid reservoirs
Contract signing for collaborative geothermal research between JOGMEC and PT Geo Dipa Energi (source: JOGMEC)
Carlo Cariaga
29 Jul 2025
JOGMAC and PT Geo Dipa Energi have signed a collaboration agreement to develop methods to predict and identify acidic fluids in geothermal reservoirs.
The Japan Energy and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) and Indonesian state-owned geothermal developer and operator PT Geo Dipa Energi (GDE) have signed a collaboration agreement for the field demonstration of a “method for identifying acidic geothermal fluid reservoirs.” The demonstration and evaluation of the method will be done at the Geo Dipa’s Patuha geothermal field in West Java, Indonesia.
This agreement follows up on a memorandum of understanding signed between the two companies in 2023 to build a collaborative relationship in the field of geothermal resource development in Indonesia. A critical foundation of the collaborative project is a study done by JOGMEC on the development of geological and geochemical survey methods for estimating acid fluid distribution areas in geothermal systems. The technical study (in Japanese) is available via this link.
The study aims to develop a generalized method for accurately identifying areas where acidic geothermal fluids exist, allowing for selectively extracting neutral geothermal fluids. This may contribute to the long-term stable operations of geothermal power plants. Knowledge gained from this study can then be applied to geothermal resource surveys in Japan.
The scope of work under the project will include geological and geochemical surveys, laboratory analysis and data analysis of rock and fluid samples, and updates on the method used for acid fluid potential prediction. The work is expected to be completed with the 2025 fiscal year, but an extension of the survey period and future surveys are also anticipated.
This will be the first project led by JOGMEC under the “Overseas Geothermal Resource Survey” program, where JOGMEC conducts resource surveys and exploration in overseas countries with geologic environments similar to those in Japan. This program started in 2021. It is also part of the Japan-led Asia Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) initiative and the Asia Energy Transition Initiative (AETI).
In February 2025, the Government of Japan published the Seventh Strategic Energy Plan which sets a target of 40-50% renewable energy in the power generation mix. A target of 1-2% for geothermal energy was set under this strategy, which is a significant increase from its current 0.3% contribution. The installed capacity for geothermal power generation in Japan remains just over 600 MWe as of the end of 2024.
Source: JOGMEC
