Applicants must first submit a concept paper by April 26, 2019 at 5 p.m. EST to be eligible to submit a full application.
The subsurface state of stress dictates fracture networks that provide the required permeability for a geothermal reservoir, so an increased understanding of the stress state is valuable for siting wells during geothermal energy development. Lost circulation events (LCEs) can occur during drilling when fluids pumped from the rig through downhole drilling equipment are “lost” and flow into geological formations instead of returning to the surface to complete a circulation path. Researching and developing innovative technologies that tackle state of stress and LCEs issues will reduce geothermal exploration and drilling costs, making geothermal a more viable and accessible energy source.
Currently, the United States is the world leader in installed geothermal capacity with more than 3.8 gigawatts online. One key to unlocking domestic geothermal potential is to reduce the cost of drilling operations, which can account for up to 50% of geothermal exploration and development costs.
GTO plans to provide funding in two topic areas:
- Topic 1: Development of technologies for characterizing, monitoring, and predicting state of stress for geothermal exploration and drilling; and
- Topic 2: Development of new technologies for predicting and mitigating lost circulation events in geothermal drilling.
- DE-FOA-0002083 Subsurface FAQs
- DE-FOA-0002083 Subsurface Stress and Loss Circulation in Geothermal Drilling
