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Raser begins drilling at New Mexico geothermal site

Drilling specialists Barbour Well, Inc., are helping geologists study the underlying rocks at Lightning Dock, in preparation for a 15MW power plant

Geothermal energy developer Raser Technologies has reported good progress at its second project, in the Animas basin of southwest New Mexico.

The company based in Provo, Utah, has started drilling at the Lightning Dock site, allowing geologists to study the underlying rock structures.

Drilling is being carried out by specialists at Barbour Well, Inc., of Henderson, Nevada.

Samples are being taken to analyze the chemical make-up of the underground water, as well as the permeability of the rocks.

Ben Barker, Raser’s vice president of resource management, said: “We’re making good progress. Right now, we’re cleaning the mud out of the hole and changing it over to fresh water so we can do an air test.”

Lightning Dock

The Lightning Dock area is one of the most studied yet undeveloped geothermal resources in the US according to Raser. Wells have been drilled since the 1970s, which have provided the company with valuable data.

Ultimately, Raser said its project would support a 15-megawatt power plant.

Geothermal energy projects like Lightning Dock involve drilling deep down into the ground to find underground reservoirs. Water heated by the surrounding rocks is pumped up to the surface in order to retrieve heat through a heat exchanger, which then can drive a steam turbine to produce electricity.

Tad Powers, economic development coordinator at Hidalgo County, said locals were excited about the project. “The government and the county have been backing this project every step of the way. We’d do anything we can to promote it, to support it.”