Development

Well SV-26 was drilled from the drilling platform to the Southwest of Carbon Recycling International and in a Southeast direction. The bottom of the well is therefore below Sýllingafell to the east of the Grindavík Road. The well has a capacity of 3-4 MW and is approx. 3,000 m deep. The well is also utilised to produce hot water and has now been connected.

HS Orka began preparation measures to connect well RN-29 in Reykjanes. The well is at a depth of approx. 3000 m and drilled in the so-called ‘Stamparein’, volcanic fissure which last erupted early in the 13th century. Design work and procurement was completed for the project this year and tenders were released in January, 2018.

A new, deep maintenance well (RN-35) was drilled this year. Wells naturally diminish in capacity with time and the high temperature (300°C), high salinity conditions in Reykjanes mean that this occurs faster than elsewhere. Subterranean sea water at a high temperature is rich in minerals and mineral deposits form in wells and in structures at the surface. Drilling maintenance wells every few years is therefore a necessity. Well RN-35 is directionally drilled in a South-westerly direction, towards the ‘litla Vatnsfell’ area. Steel casing is used to line the 2800 m well to a depth of 1300 m. The well has a capacity of 8 MW.

Drilling commenced on a research well in Stamparein to the south of the Stolt Seafarm. Well RN-36 will be directionally drilled to a depth of anything up to 2500 m. Extensive research has shown that temperatures can reach 300°C in Stamparein. The well will be used to assess whether or not strata at this depth is permeable. Tracer testing carried out by HS Orka in the past revealed a negligible connection between Stamparein and the main production area in Reykjanes. The utilisation of subterranean sea water from Stamparein would therefore be an addition to geothermal utilisation in the Reykjanes area.

Research and development on methods for a 30 MW low pressure power plant in Reykjanes was completed this year and will significantly improve utilisation at the Reykjanes Power Plant. Methodology has been developed for the low- pressure boiling of supersaturated subterranean sea water and the clean-up and clarification of the seawater (after boiling) before re-injection. The methodology is now fully developed and the project is ready for the design process and eventual implementation.

These are mostly international or European Union funded projects but some of them are also related to the IDDP Project. Energy companies have collaborated on joint research projects and the development of methodology for the utilisation and disposal of hydrogen sulphide. The Image Project is an international project where methodology has been developed on acquiring integrated expertise on geothermal utilisation, built on the latest scientific and technical methodology. The Hotcase Project is an international project aimed at developing steel casing and casing methods for high temperature wells. New materials and steel coating methods will be tested to prevent corrosion as well as high-tech concrete methods.