Montserrat:

Preparatory Work Continues for Geothermal Exploration (SKNVibes.com)

Preparation of the drilling pad
(Courtesy SKNVibes.com)

Montserrat continues to prepare to explore its geothermal potential, which is scheduled to begin in earnest in February. The drilling rig and other equipment belonging to the Iceland Drilling Company (IDC), which won the contract to explore for energy resources, are scheduled to arrive on island January 29, say government officials.

The U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) has allocated 8.5 million pounds for the exploration of geothermal energy on island. Since the contract with IDC was signed in October 2012, the site preparation work began in earnest. All of the areas have been cleared and the water tanks and other holding areas constructed.

The drilling and testing phases are expected to take three to four months. Two wells will be drilled down to a depth of 5,000 feet in Zone C, between Weekes Village and Garibaldi Hill. A Geothermal Exploration Report (PDF) done by EGS Inc. of California said there was an 80% likelihood of geothermal energy on Montserrat.

Read More.....