Compact Rigs a Boost to Geothermal Drilling - Part 1
Smaller, more easily transportable and less expensive (to run) drill rigs can offer more profits and less environmental impact. Overall drilling costs (and electric power costs) can be decreased significantly, and the use of compact rigs would help make geothermal resources more competitive as a power-generating fuel.
Today, the geothermal industry must compete with natural gas when trying to sell electricity to utilities. The highest single cost of geothermally generating power is the drilling of production and injection wells. Important components of the overall drilling costs include the cost of mobilization and demobilization, crew-related charges and fuel. When working overseas, the impact of these particular line items on total costs is even greater. Additionally, environmental concerns associated with the use of large drill rigs are increasing all over the world. These must be addressed if continued geothermal drilling is to be possible at reasonable costs.