Geothermal Power production is determined by the mass flow rate, which is related to the temperature of the resource and the flow rate (fluid movement to surface). Even with quality heat resources, if the natural fractures system does not allow economic flow rates than projects fall short of their economic hurdles. The ability to increase permeability, or ‘enhance the geothermal system’ (EGS), improves the flow rate, decreases overall geological/drilling risk, and improves overall project economics.

AltaRock Energy Inc is one of the leading energy production and technology companies involved with EGS. Their Newberry Volcano Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) Demonstration– supported by the Department of Energy – involves hydraulic stimulation of an existing deep, hot well on the west flank of Newberry Volcano.

In the fall of 2012, hydroshearing and multi-zone isolation techniques were used to create an EGS reservoir at Newberry. AltaRock has performed three stimulations using thermally degrading zonal isolation materials (TZIM) to block permeable zones and create multiple stimulated fracture systems in conventional geothermal reservoirs. These stimulations targeted deep, high temperature areas of the reservoir while isolating and preventing stimulation of shallow, low temperature zones. Previous results show not only up to 60% increase in flow rate, whether injection or production, but the production and or injection improvement is confined to higher temperature zones.