Expert: Geo Flow Technology Can Identify Better Geothermal Energy Sources

INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) through the ESDM Research Agency held a Geo-Flow Imaging seminar inviting technology experts from IESE (Institute of Earth Science and Engineering) from New Zealand, Peter Leary on March 15, 2018.

Attending the event, geophysicists and geologists of ESDM Research Institute, R & D of geothermal power companies, and academics, Geo-Flow Imaging is the latest technology and methodology to map geothermal systems more accurately with significantly more efficient drilling costs.

According to Peter, geo current imaging technology can provide better geothermal energy sources and identification results in the loading process. "Geo-Flow Imaging will also provide the best and cost-effective process to identify geothermal energy sources that deserve to be exploited," he said.

This, continued Peter, will reduce the cost of exploration and drilling geothermal wells are cheaper, faster and better. "With Geo-Flow Imaging this will also reduce risk, and increase the odds of returning capital faster," said Peter.

He explains this method has previously been successfully applied to oil and gas exploration (oil and gas). With some modifications, Geo-Flow Imaging has also successfully applied in geothermal.

Head of ESDM Research Agency, Sutijasto on the occasion revealed that nearly 70% of geothermal investment is for upstream development.

"Upstream investments are dominated by wells that contribute about 70 percent, meaning that the role of leading-edge drilling technology is crucial to boosting the economy of geothermal energy development," he said.

He hopes that the researchers, after obtaining this new insight, can develop some innovative technologies that can reduce costs in geothermal drilling to support the availability of sustainable and affordable energy in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Director of PT Energy Development Center (EDC) of Geothermal Indonesia, Delas M. Pontolumiu explained that the methodology adopted from oil and gas drilling technology has never been practiced in PT EDC's upstream geothermal activity.

If done in the exploration and exploitation phase will be easier and reduce the cost of drilling. This methodology is to be piloted in a pilot project in one geothermal working area of ​​the seven WK geothermal PT EDC in the Philippines.