Puna Geothermal Ventures receives drilling permits for two potential new wells in Hawaii
Puna Geothermal Ventures (PGV) has received permits for drilling two wells for its geothermal power plant at Puna in Hawaii. It is though still unclear if these wells will be required, as the company continues evaluating wells covered by lava flows of a volcano in 2018.
Local news report today, that the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has approved the applications from Puna Geothermal Venture in Hawaii. The initial permit was approved August 9, and the second now August 19, 2019.
Drilling can start as early as September 20, 2019, while it is not clear yet if actually drilling will be done. Puna Geothermal Ventures announced that applying for these permits were a precaution before the evaluation of wells covered by lava during the eruption of the nearby Kilauea volcano.
The company is still seeing the new wells under consideration and there needs more work to be done to explore if they will be necessary in the restart of the geothermal plant on the Big Island of Hawaii.
The company is planning a community meeting on September 18, 2019 and will share information with the community on next plans.
Drilling permits are usually valid for one year, so the Hawaiin Tribune Herald.
There are currently 11 wells, six production wells and five injection wells, ranging in depth from 1,200 to 2,400 meters (4,000-8,000 feet). Under a plan of operation, PGV is allowed to drill up to 28 wells.
Mike Kaleikini, PGV’s senior director of Hawaii affairs, states that “there is a lot more work to do” and that the company still “plans to be online by the end of they year”. This is in line with previous announcements by Ormat Technologies, the owner of PGV.
Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald