Mitsui Oil Exploraton Co. joins geothermal project in Japan

Reported locally this week, Japanese company Mitsui Oil Exploration Co. “will take part in a joint geothermal energy development study in Hokkaido and Akita Prefecture along with Idemitsu Kosan Co. and Inpex Corp.

ThinkGeoEnergy reported on this project before.

In the release by the company it is said that it is the first entry into geothermal for the firm, but that its experience from oil and gas activities is applicable to geothermal development and will be a good addition to the project.

The study will be done in the Amemasudake area (Akaigawa and Sapporo, Hokkaido) and the Oyasu area (Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture).

Idemitsu and Inpex began the study in June 2011, and have already conducted geological, gravity and electromagnetic surveys. Mitsui Oil Exploration said as a participant, it will jointly conduct further survey and evaluation for geothermal development along with Idemitsu and Inpex.

Mitsui Oil Exploration has been involved in the oil and gas exploration, development and production business since its founding in 1969. The company said it will continue to focus on the development of geothermal energy as an important potential source of renewable energy and endeavor to expand the geothermal business both in Japan and overseas.”

Source: The Asahi Shimbun