DEEP and SLB team up on deep geothermal in Canada

Canadian geothermal developer DEEP Earth Energy Production Corp. has teamed up with energy technology company SLB to develop a geothermal project in southeast Saskatchewan in Canada. 

The 30MW project will include two production and two injection wells in phase one and up to 18 wells in phase two. This approach will maximise the permeability of the surrounding sedimentary rock formation, according to DEEP.

The project feasibility phase is complete and SLB will now provide the engineering design and construction services for the project.

Kirsten Marcia, president and chief executive officer for DEEP, commented in a statement: “By joining forces, we are developing our asset in a streamlined fashion, combining the best of subsurface and surface technologies, while maximizing efficiencies, operations, and ultimately, power output. With this approach, we hope to establish a blueprint for the development of additional commercial geothermal projects in Canada. This project is not only a major step forward for our company, but also should represent a meaningful contribution to Canada’s goals to reduce emissions and secure local energy resources.”

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DEEP will leverage horizontal drilling methods proven in the oil and gas sector to access the most productive zones. This will be coupled with SLB’s expertise in integrated well construction, and according the partners, will be a first-of-its-kind application for geothermal development in Canada.

“This collaboration with DEEP reflects our commitment to broadening the adoption of geothermal by reducing project risk and accelerating the time to first power,” said Irlan Amir, vice president of Renewables and Energy Efficiency, SLB. “The project’s innovative engineering design and integrated asset development model brings together developers, technology providers and infrastructure partners to open new frontiers for geothermal power generation in Canada and beyond.”

Canada has a large amount of geothermal potential, with the highest temperature geothermal resources located in British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alberta.

The country has over 5,000MW in traditional shallow geothermal resources with currently available technology and upwards of 10,000MW or more may be available in deep geothermal resources. To tap much of the deep geothermal, technology is required which is still under development.