Specialists in Soil Investigation
The
drillings for the Trias Westland geothermal project have reached the Triassic
layer. The third
section was completed at the end of January. The
casings have been placed and the borehole has been firmly cemented. This
was the most exciting section of the project and, despite a number of technical
challenges, it was completed successfully.
Steady drilling
Last
week we started drilling the fourth and last section. The pressure on
the drilling rod remains very high. That
is why we chose to drill this section using the Vortex: an extra motor deep in the
borehole. The
drilling fluid (which transports the drill grit upwards) has been replaced by a
fluid that leaves the reservoir properties as intact as possible. The
drilling is running smoothly and we expect to reach the total depth of about 4,100
meters in the next few days. Since the
hole is oblique, the total drill length will be 4,550 meters. This
section is reinforced with mostly perforated pipes, allowing the water to be
pumped up.
Measurements
Mid
next week we expect to investigate the reservoir section. This is done
with special measuring equipment lowered deep into the borehole. Among other things, the permeability of the rock, the chemical properties
of the water and the strength of the rock will be measured. With
this information we can determine which filters should be used at the plant
and at what pressure the cooled water can be injected. The
production tests (also called well test) is expected to take place in the
third week of February. Based
on this information, in March we will decide whether the Triassic layer offers
sufficient capacity.
T&A Survey has been involved in the Trias Westland project from the
beginning and now provides the drilling management. Read more
about the project.
