High enthalpy geothermal drilling in East Africa presents a number of challenges e.g. extreme formation temperatures (~370 deg C), complex geology, and remote locations / logistics.
These projects have driven innovative approaches in well design, materials selection, operational execution and local supply chain management.
This presentation distills key lessons learned by MDG in recent East African campaigns, including temperature management, well integrity challenges and adaptive drilling practices in fractured volcanic formations.
By examining these lessons through the lens of European geothermal ambitions, particularly in regions looking to develop deep and/or high enthalpy projects, the presentation explores how proven strategies could be adapted to European regulatory frameworks, subsurface conditions, and infrastructure / planning constraints.
The presentation will provide insight into how frontier geothermal experience and learnings can inform safer, more efficient drilling in emerging European deep geothermal projects (high and low enthalpy) accelerating progress towards delivering decarbonised heat and power solutions.