Fervo Energy has successfully completed drilling its Sugarloaf geothermal appraisal well, reaching a vertical depth of 15,765 feet and a thermal projection of 520°F after equilibration. The process was completed in only 16 days, representing a 79% decrease versus the U.S. Department of Energy standard for deep geothermal drilling.
Technical advances and unprecedented efficiency
Several performance records were achieved during the operation. These include a bit length of 3,290 ft and an average penetration rate of 95 ft/hour, even exceeding 300 ft/hour in sections below 15,000 ft. These achievements demonstrate the feasibility of applying EGS technologies technologies in high-temperature, deepwater areas, extending the frontiers beyond the western United States.
Along with this technical achievement, Fervo obtained an independent evaluation of its Cape Phase I project by the consulting firm DeGolyer & MacNaughton. The report confirms that the company’s patented EGS design achieves thermal recovery factors of 50 to 60%, tripling efficiency over conventional technologies. This validation supports the potential to develop more than 5 GW in the Cape Station area at depths of up to 13,000 feet.
Impact of geothermal well and strategic alliances
Fervo’s project is backed by contracts with customers such as Shell Energy and Southern California Edison, who are seeking firm, carbon-free energy. This model demonstrates the possibility of generating continuous electricity from deep sources, positioning Fervo as a key player in the face of growing energy demand driven by electrification and artificial intelligence.
Since its first tests in 2020, Fervo has significantly increased the operating temperature range of its systems, reaching 260 °C. The Sugarloaf drilling drilling solidifies a tangible move towards mass commercialization of EGS systems, aligning geoscientific innovation and operational efficiency with the energy challenges of the future.
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Source and photo: Fervo Energy
