Geothermal drilling test facility to be established in Alberta, Canada
Precision Drilling rig on site of Eavor-Lite (TM) project in Alberta, Canada (source: video screenshot, Eavor)
Carlo Cariaga
1 May 2024
The government of Alberta, Canada has made an initial investment for the Alberta Drilling Accelerator, a facility for geothermal drilling development.
The government of Alberta, Canada will be investing $750,000 to conduct a feasibility study led by Eavor Technologies and other stakeholders for a proposed facility for testing and developing geothermal drilling technology. The Alberta Drilling Accelerator will be the first of its kind in Canada and will establish Alberta as a global hub for geothermal technology.
The feasibility study is the first step in assessing the proposed facility. It will include identifying a site, business planning, research on the governance model, an economic impact analysis and stakeholder engagement that will lay the groundwork for the initial planning stages of the project.
If the feasibility study shows the facility is economically and environmentally viable, and if the project is approved by the Alberta government, the facility will start taking shape at the selected site and drilling could start as early as 2025.
Harnessing Canada’s drilling know-how
Alberta has vast pockets of heat below ground, making the province Canada’s geothermal leader, but testing and developing new technologies can be a barrier for many companies. Unlike the United States, Japan ,and other countries, Canada does not currently have an open-access test site to help spur innovation.
“Alberta has been a global energy leader for more than a century, renowned for our skilled workforce, innovation and one of the largest oil and gas reserves on the planet. The proposed Alberta Drilling Accelerator presents enormous potential to help our province lead the next wave of energy projects here at home and around the world that reduce emissions, create jobs and enhance energy security,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.
The Alberta Drilling Accelerator would help companies test out and develop new geothermal drilling techniques or technologies to reduce emissions and drive growth across the clean energy sector. It would be an open-access, technology-agnostic drilling test facility capable of drilling in challenging environments, including deep depths, high temperatures and different rock types.
Attracting new investment
The accelerator also would help speed up the development of carbon capture, utilization and storage; helium; critical minerals; and other clean technologies and commodities that rely on Alberta’s drilling sector. All of this helps attract investment and bring new technologies to scale in Canada.
“With cumulative geothermal investment poised to reach $1 trillion by 2050, a geothermal arms race is very much underway to commercialize novel drilling techniques that accelerate geothermal development – exhibited by testing facilities in the United States, China and Iceland. As Canada’s first geothermal test bed, the Alberta Drilling Accelerator will help bring geothermal technologies to scale, supporting companies like Eavor. We commend the Government of Alberta for this bold initiative,” said John Redfern, President and CEO of Eavor Technologies.
“The Alberta Drilling Accelerator is a testament to Alberta’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. Leveraging our oil and gas sector expertise, Alberta is poised to become the global leader in developing new geothermal technologies that will play an integral role in reducing emissions while supporting job creation,” added Alison Thompson, Chair of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association.
