Project Lifecycle
How a new-drill geopressured project comes together.
From historical well log calibration and 3D seismic mapping to courthouse title audits, surface drill pad assembly, and closing dockets.
Commercial geopressured geothermal energy requires handling enormous fluid volumes (DOE tests: roughly 10,000 to 36,500 barrels per day per well) at high temperatures and pressures. Repurposing 40-year-old corroded wellbores creates severe mechanical risks. Instead, successful developers build new, purpose-drilled large-bore wells into reservoirs proven by historical subsurface data.
Stage 1: Subsurface Log Calibration & Seismic Mapping
Diligence begins in the subsurface archives. We compile historical electric logs, mud logs, and bottom-hole temperature surveys from surrounding deep oil and gas wells. Dense log control calibrates net sand thickness, porosity (often 20% to 25%), and overpressure gradients. Correlating these control points with modern 3D seismic maps reservoir compartmentalization, continuous sand fairways, and optimal new-drill surface locations.
Stage 2: Title Examination & Estate Severance Audit
In the county clerk office, we build patent-to-present runsheets for the target acreage block. We evaluate severed mineral reservations under Texas Natural Resources Code Section 141.004(a), which establishes that geothermal resources and geopressured water are owned as real property by the surface estate unless expressly severed. We also audit active oil and gas leases to structure agreements regarding co-produced dissolved natural gas.
Stage 3: Surface Drill Sites & Reinjection Agreements
With title confirmed, we negotiate comprehensive agreements with surface landowners. This includes multi-acre drilling pad leases engineered for heavy rigs and surface plant equipment, access road rights-of-way, and electrical substation tie-ins. Simultaneously, we secure pore space rights and pipeline corridors for new purpose-drilled Class II injection wells to ensure closed-loop fluid return.
Stage 4: Closing Docket & Regulatory Drilling Packet
The diligence culminates in a complete closing docket: recorded instrument schedules, surface lease packages, dissolved methane allocation contracts, and environmental baseline reviews. This package equips developer legal teams, financing partners, and petroleum engineers with the exact land control required to file Railroad Commission Form W-1 drilling permit applications.
System architecture blueprint
Examine how new purpose-drilled production wells, methane separators, binary ORC power units, and reinjection wells operate together in our technical cutaway.