Hot rock drilling planned for Koroit

By Alex Johnson
Updated November 7 2012 - 1:38pm, first published July 30 2009 - 11:27pm

DRILLING is set to start on two wells at Koroit in preparation for the area's $12 million geothermal power plant. Hot Rock Limited (HRL) announced today that it had secured a suitable drilling rig and drilling time to sink the test wells in preparation for the pilot plant. The wells are expected to be up to three kilometres deep and will gauge the flow rates of the subterranean water, which can reach temperatures of more than 150 degrees. The Queensland-based firm had paid "a small non-refundable deposit" to MB Century Drilling and was in the process of completing a formal drilling contract, a Hot Rock statement said."HRL expects to spud the Koroit KG1 well in February 2010 and is planning to spud Koroit KG2 well immediately following a successful KG 1 well," HRL said. "The completion of two wells will enable HRL to advance quickly through the 'proof of concept stage' of the Koroit project."The work will also allow the company to conduct flow testing in the wells and a feasibility study to commence installation of a 1MW pilot plant in late 2010.MB Century is one of the largest and most experienced drilling contractors with more than 50 years experience serving the oil, gas and geothermal energy sectors, Hot Rock said.MB Century had drilled more than 800 thermal wells, and it had also completed a number of oil and gas wells in the Otway Basin near Koroit.HRL has entered into a "drilling club" agreement with another Victorian geothermal developer to share the costs of the rig.HRL is applying for $7 million in Round 2 of the Commonwealth governments’ Geothermal Drilling Project grant to assist in funding the project.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Warrnambool news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.