ThermoDrill – Fast Track Innovative Drilling System for Deep Geothermal Challenges in Europe

The ThermoDrill project aims at the development of an innovative drilling system based on a combination of conventional (drill-head based) drilling with water jet technology, in order to enable an at least by 50% accelerated penetration of solid rock strata.

Sustainable and safe energy resource extraction at affordable costs is one aspect in the focus of research in this Horizon 2020 Programme. Safe and economical drilling systems that can penetrate about 5000 metres deep into the earth by rapid drilling are needed in order to develop ground heat for use as thermal energy or also use it for the generation of electric energy in steam power plants.

The costs of the new innovative drilling process are to be reduced by more than 30%, while the risk of triggering earthquakes is to be reduced to a minimum at the same time.

The following topics are treated in the research programme:

Progressive water-jet technology for producing drill holes and thus, a substitution for fracking and the related critical risks of earthquakes;
Studying special fluids for the water-jet technology and drill lubricants under high temperature and pressure requirements;
Systematic redesign of the complete drilling process, especially the casing design and concreting;
Defining health, environmental and safety requirements

PROJECT DATA

Title: Fast Track Innovative Drilling System for Deep Geothermal Challenges in Europe

Instrument: H2020 LCE 2-2014 - Research and Innovation Action

Overall cost: € 5,824,845

EC funding: € 5,381,095

Project period: 36 months

Project start: 01/09/2015

Project coordinator: Montanuniversitaet Leoben (AT)

Project partners: