Orkuveitan drills its first research well in fifteen years
Orkuveitan recently began drilling the first exploratory well in Meitlar in the municipality of Ölfus, with the aim of ensuring safe and sustainable energy production and meeting the growing demand for hot water and electricity.
The exploration well in Meitlar is the first one that Orkuveitan has drilled in fifteen years and also the first slim-hole exploration well the company has worked on. It is smaller in scope than conventional exploration wells and will provide important information about the temperature, pressure, and nature of the geothermal system in the area, which will lay the foundation for decisions on future production.
“This well marks a turning point in Orkuveitan’s energy production,” says Hera Grímsdóttir, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Orkuveitan. “We haven’t drilled a research well of this kind in fifteen years, and it’s gratifying to now be using the latest green technology for the project.”
1,500-meter-deep hole
The research well will be 1,500 meters deep and will be used to gather information about the temperature, pressure, and properties of the geothermal fluid in the geothermal system that may lie beneath Meitlar.
The well is located on the edge of a known geothermal resource, and the aim of the research is to investigate whether a usable resource is hidden there. To minimize the environmental impact, drilling is carried out with a 100-ton electric drill rig that is quieter and requires a smaller drill pad, less electricity, and less water than a conventional oil-powered rig.
Expansion of the production area and increased energy generation
To continue to ensure a secure energy supply for homes and businesses, it is necessary to expand the production area in Hverahlíð and explore new areas in Meitlar. The drilling of the exploration well is part of that work and marks the beginning of a new phase in the utilization of geothermal energy in the area.
“The exploratory drilling in Meitlar is part of the vision that Orkuveitan is working towards to ensure green energy in a responsible and sustainable way,” says Harpa Pétursdóttir, Director of New Energy Resources at Orkuveitan. “We are exploring new possibilities to meet increased energy needs without depleting the resource. In this way, we are laying the foundation for energy production that serves both the present and the future.”
Orkuveitan is a publicly owned energy and utility company that has played a key role in providing energy for the community for decades. The company's role is to be a driving force for a sustainable future, which involves maximizing the yield from the energy resources entrusted to the company through sustainable utilization, value creation, and efficiency as guiding principles.