ThinkGeoEnergy – Geothermal Energy News

Permits sought for two additional wells at Puna geothermal plant, Hawaii

Puna Geothermal Ventures has applied for permits for two additional wells – part of contingency planning of the company while it assesses impact on the lava on existing wells.

An article published locally reports that the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources is reviewing applications for two new geothermal wells at Puna Geothermal Venture, as reported by Hawaii Tribune Herald.

Filed on March 1, 2019, the applications are part of the move of PGV to resume operations.

While the company is still assessing wells covered by lava or plugged during the eruption, the application for two additional wells is a contingency for the company, so Mike Kaleikini, PGV’s senior director of Hawaii affairs.  “We’re still assessing the conditions of existing wells,” Kaleikini said. “We just want to be prepared in the event for some reason we need a new well.”

He said DLNR has to approve reuse of existing wells and permits for new well construction. Permits for new wells would be good for one year.

PGV, which aims to restart operations by the end of the year, is allowed to build as many as 28 wells under a plan of operation approved in 2006. It currently has 11 wells — five for injection and six for production — that range in depths of 4,000 feet and 8,000 feet.

The article further covers some of the discussions locally on seismicity, and opposition to geothermal energy development and operation in Hawaii, some of it refers to a video we recently shared.

Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald

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