The company is pumping cold water down one well to very deep and very hot rocks to create very hot water. This water is then drawn to the surface via another well, converted to steam, pushed through a turbine to produce ultra-low emission electricity.

The big question has always been whether the super-hot water would flow properly between the two wells.

“Habanero-2 intermittently flowed vigorously through a 0.3-inch choke,” Geodynamics said.

“Flow had to be shut-in from time to time, to ensure that the well casing and well head would heat up slowly.”

Intermittent flow between 31 March and 3 April 2005 increased the temperature of the well head to 95°C and pressure data showed that each intermittent flow coincided with a temporary pressure drop in Habanero-1, a clear indication of hydraulic connection between the two deep wells, the company said.

A total of 500 barrels (80,000 litres, roughly equivalent to one well bore volume), has been produced to date, according to Geodynamics.

The maximum flow rate through the 0.3-inch choke was in excess of six litres per second. Once most of the heavy brine was cleaned from the well, well head pressures returned to 5000psi (360 bar).

“Further well clean-up flow will increase the temperature of the well head to over 200°C,” Geodynamics said.

“To manage this, the full production system [including automatic choke and steam separator] is to be rigged up to manage steam flow. It is expected that clean-up flow operations will be completed by Saturday 9 April.”

Slick line unit operations to determine the actual depth of the sunk plug are scheduled to begin this Sunday 10 April.