The presentation would introduce the first project of the IADC (International Association of Drilling Contractors) Geothermal Committee.
The IADC Geothermal Committee aims to enhance the pivotal role of the drilling industry in expediting geothermal energy development. Serving as a forum and bridge for industry practitioners, it seeks to ensure a safe, sustainable, and efficient model of well construction for the geothermal sector to provide renewable, stable, and affordable energy anywhere in the world.
In the work leading up to the committee's formation, several companies and trade organizations had identified guidelines and standards as a major gap. Hence, its first project is the IADC Geothermal Well Drilling Guideline, which includes an IADC Classification for geothermal well types. The code will allow a common understanding of geothermal well types and bridges the gap between the geothermal industry, well construction practitioners (drilling contractors and service companies), and the investment community. It will be established as an international code and seek the endorsement of Geothermal industry bodies such as Geothermal Rising, IGA, and EGEC. By the time of this proposed presentation, this classification is intended to reach its completion and will be presented in full.
The practical terms of the code will form the basis for the remainder of the well drilling guideline, covering topics such as well design, rig and equipment selection, well control, and safety.