Knowhow, Skills and Experience
Projects Overview
Consortium Drilling’s senior leadership team has extensive experience in geothermal projects across various regions, including El Salvador in Central America, Africa and Germany in Europe. In El Salvador, the team contributed to the development of geothermal energy initiatives, such as the Berlin Geothermal Field, which has been operational since 1992 and plays a significant role in the country’s renewable energy production. In Germany, geothermal energy development by drilling the Unterhaching GT 2 duplets located at Ziegelweg near Munich. This project was part of the Unterhaching geothermal initiative, which aimed to harness sustainable energy sources for the region.
Most recently Consortium Drilling has provided tailored engineering, equipment, and manpower services to Geothermal Energy Limited (GEL) across numerous projects. These include investigating the temperatures observed at the Jubilee Pool Lido well and delivering a range of solutions to commission the 5,275m United Downs 1 production well, the deepest geothermal well ever drilled in the UK.
Challenges
The Jubilee Pool well’s location near residential areas requires careful management of noise, air pollution, and general disruption to ensure minimal impact on the local community. Being situated along the seafront in a popular holiday destination adds pressure to maintain a clean, unobtrusive operation to avoid negative perceptions and disruptions to tourism. The United Downs well faced logistical and operational challenges due to the simultaneous construction of a power plant on-site, necessitating precise coordination to avoid conflicts and delays.
Solutions
Consortium Drilling implemented tailored and innovative strategies to address the unique challenges of these projects. For the Jubilee Pool well, located near residential areas and a popular holiday destination, the team employed advanced noise and emission management techniques and maintained a clean, unobtrusive operation to minimise community and tourism disruption. Additionally, comprehensive welfare facilities were provided to support operational efficiency and crew well-being.
At the United Downs site, where logistical and operational challenges arose from the simultaneous construction of a power plant, Consortium Drilling ensured seamless coordination and adaptability. To overcome equipment-related issues, we fast tracked a 13-5/8” drilling spool with side outlets that was delivered within 12 hours, avoiding delays. Furthermore, a completely rig-less solution was deployed, and third-party tubular running services with a torque monitoring system were organised to run the premium connection Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) completion. These integrated solutions exemplify Consortium Drilling’s commitment to precision, efficiency, and maintaining high standards under complex conditions.
Outcomes
All projects were successfully completed with zero Non-Productive Time (NPT), earning highly positive feedback from the client and solidifying Consortium Drilling’s position as the preferred partner for its ongoing geothermal operations.
This international experience underscores the leadership’s capability to manage complex geothermal projects in diverse geological and regulatory environments.
There are significant advances in geothermal technology, which are unlocking its potential as a clean, secure, and versatile energy source. With innovations such as horizontal drilling and stimulation, geothermal could meet up to 15% of global electricity demand growth by 2050, with a potential deployment of 800 GW globally. Geothermal provides continuous electricity generation, heat production, and storage, with a high utilisation rate compared to other renewables like wind and solar.