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GEP10 Geelong Geothermal Power Project (GGPP)
Greenearth Energy flagship commercial development opportunity is the Geelong Geothermal Power Project (GGPP). This is a staged project development that lends itself to a multiple modular installation approach over time that will lead, in stages, to the construction of a geothermal power generation capacity in the Geelong area and the delivery of renewable energy into the Victorian energy grid. The major focus for the company in the upcoming financial year will be to attract the necessary funding and to commence Stage 1 of the project – Proof of Concept drilling.
Stage 1 - Proof of Concept
Greenearth Energy's Geelong Geothermal Power Project Stage 1 - Proof of Concept is planned to commence during H2 2010 with the drilling of Geelong Geothermal Well No. 1 (Production) to 4,000 m immediately followed by Geelong Geothermal Well No. 2 (Injection) (upon successful completion of the first well).
The proposed project location is approximately 9km northwest of the brown coal fired power station at Anglesea and has been selected on the basis it targets the hottest and thickest section of a HSA geothermal reservoir formation of greater than 1,000 m thickness.
A deviated well design has been developed and directional drilling techniques will be employed to minimise the number of drilling pads and maximise the length of geothermal reservoir intersected. A modest deviation of 15 degrees from vertical at the 1,000 m level can achieve suitable separation within the HSA reservoir of production and injection wells of approximately 1,500 m at a vertical depth of 4,000 m. This separation is intended to avoid 'short circuiting' of geothermal fluid flow and maintain reservoir pressures.
The Proof of Concept stage geothermal well couplet is designed to demonstrate the capability of producing and injecting geothermal fluid at suitable temperature and flow rate for geothermal power production. Long term flow testing will enable the development of a robust geothermal reservoir model to predict long term operational characteristics under geothermal power plant operation.
Proof of Concept: Expected Commencement Date: H2 2010 (subject to funding availability)
Stage 2 - Demonstration Plant
A successful Proof of Concept stage well couplet will enable long term flow testing to fully characterise the Geelong Geothermal Power Project HSA resource.
Present indications of permeability imply a successful Proof of Concept couplet may deliver sufficient fluid to achieve production of 6MWe Nett and may be practical for generation as a single Organic Ranking Cycle (ORC)modular unit.A further two geothermal wells (one production and one injection) will be drilled from the same drilling pad. Two geothermal well couplets (two production and two injection wells) from the one well pad will tap approximately 3-4 km2 of reservoir area.
Individual drilling pads will be utilised to locate each 12MWe modular ORC geothermal power plant. This modular scale approach lends itself to potential replication across the Geelong Geothermal Power Project HSA resource as a method of cost effectively developing the full target reservoir to its potential 140MWe Nett.
Demonstration Plant: Expected Commencement Date: H1 2012
Stage 3 - Commercialisation
A pre-feasibility study of the intended Geelong Geothermal Power Project undertaken by Sinclair Knight Merz has developed the concept of 12 modular 12MW plants being potentially developed over a, yet to be determined, period of time across the HSA reservoir to deliver at total potential of 140MW.
The commercialisation stage of the GGPP is in a region of the grid with existing capacity with a favourable marginal loss factor (MLF) of greater than 1.
The 140MW Geelong Geothermal Power Project has the potential to deliver substantial base load (continuous), renewable, emissions free electricity along with significant carbon displacement potential.
GEP 12/13
Latrobe Valley Investigation
The company has been planning a forward program to better understand the geology beneath the Latrobe Valley. The very thick brown coals in the area tend to obscure geophysical signals and makes mapping detail beneath the coals difficult. Greenearth Energy has, to date, focused on understanding heat flow and temperature at depth. The next phase is to commence mapping of the subsurface layering in this area, which is key to advancing its geothermal potential.
Greenearth Energy has devised a comprehensive program of investigation which will commence in the coming 2009-2010 permit year. However, given the Latrobe Valley's large greenhouse gas footprint and the area's potential to contain both geothermal resources and reservoirs for greenhouse gas sequestration, the company Energy regards the better characterisation of the subsurface in the Latrobe Valley area as an issue of national importance. Accordingly, Greenearth Energy will continue discussions with both the Victorian and Federal Government, universities and industry on potential collaborative efforts to accelerate this important program.
Micro Earthquake (MEQ) Monitoring - Pilot Trial
The company commenced work for a trial of monitoring micro-earthquakes as a technique to indentify prospective geothermal areas. This technique (which is used overseas) records earthquakes. Small earthquakes are numerous in the Gippsland area. From the recordings indicative patterns may be discernable that can help delineate major fracture zones and key sedimentary layers. Also, the use of shear wave splitting may help define potential permeable zones. Micro-earthquake monitoring while creating artificial fractures is common place, however, the use of monitoring natural micro earthquakes as an exploratory tool in this context is believed to be a first within Australia.
The coordination agreement with the concurrent petroleum explorer, Lakes Oil N.L., enabled Greenearth Energy Ltd to gain access to the Loy Yang 2 petroleum well. A geophone (sonde) was placed at 1,350 m in the Loy Yang-2 well in November 2008. Another geophone has been placed at the surface. The sonde is continuously monitoring the occurrence of natural sub-surface activity which will be collated and interpreted. By November 2009 there will be over 6 months of data, sufficient to fully review and assess the ability of this technique to accurately map the subsurface.