USA, Oregon:

Geothermal Project Continues on Newberry Volcano (The Bulletin)

Trenton Cladouhos, senior vice president of research and  development

for AltaRock Energy Inc. explains and points out the equipment used for 

the ongoing geothermal exploration experiment at Newberry. 

(Courtesy Andy Tullis / The Bulletin)

Officials with the company trying to create a geothermal resource south of Bend say they’re moving closer to power production but first need more testing and more funding. Any power coming from Newberry Volcano is still years away.

Seattle-based AltaRock Energy started cracking hot rock deep within Newberry Volcano two years ago by pouring water down a 10,000-foot well. It stopped in late 2012 because of weather and didn’t do any work in 2013 so scientists could examine data and crews could reinforce a steel and concrete casing extended 5,300 feet into the well, said Dave Stowe, an AltaRock Energy spokesman.

“It took some time,” he said.

AltaRock restarted the work Sept. 23 and it could continue until early November if weather allows, said Trenton Cladouhos, senior vice president in charge of research and development for the company and GRC Member.

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