The Cooper Basin HFR project is intended to establish the viability of HFR geothermal energy generation with rhe reservoir testing program expected to begin when the well reaches its TD of 4,500 metres.
“To maintain the momentum of the Cooper Basin HFR project and to optimise the return on capital invested, it has been decided to aim for the development of a demonstration power plant on a two well rather than a three well system, Geodynamics said in a statement.
“It was recognised that the generation capacity of the demonstration plant is not of great importance. It is the demonstration of the economic viability of extracting heat, combined with converting this to zero emission electricity that will achieve the objectives required by the market.”
The testing programme is designed not only to provide the evidence required for the establishment of a demonstration power plant but also to demonstrate the “enormous scope and potential” of the Cooper Basin for providing large scale zero-emission power generation, the company said.
The output of a two-well demonstration plant, as compared to the original three well system, with a thicker underground heat exchanger, is reduced from 13MW to about 3MW.
The Habanero-2 well lost 245 metres of drill string at a depth of 4,343 metres as the firm was preparing to conduct the final drill bit run.
“The drill string failure is thought to be a consequence of fatigue in a drill collar connection and is not related to well conditions,” Geodynamics said.
“The lost drill stem or ‘fish’ was eventually fully engaged with a fishing tool, but subsequently we were unable to lift it free to the surface.”
To save costs, drilling operations were temporarily suspended. Geodynamics decided that the most cost-effective way to complete the Habanero-2 well was to cut the fish free and drill a side track hole.
“It is estimated that it will take 10 days to cut the fish free and prepare the well for recommencement of drilling operations, including the side track well, to a total depth of approximately 4,350 metres with completion estimated by mid-December,” the company said
