U.S. Geothermal Announces Completion of First Well at Neal Hot Springs

Idaho, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] U.S. Geothermal Inc. announced that the first full size production well (NHS-1) at the Neal Hot Springs Project was successfully completed on May 23 and an initial flow test confirms the presence of a geothermal reservoir.

NHS-1 encountered a large, productive, geologic fracture in the Neal Hot Springs geothermal reservoir at 2,287 feet below surface and was completed to a depth of 2,305 feet. Initial flow testing resulted in a flowing temperature inside the well casing of 277 degrees F (136 degrees C). The new well flowed under artesian pressure at 1,200 gallons per minute (gpm), but was controlled and reduced to 800 gpm for the duration of the test due to equipment constraints.

"Although the flowing temperature at this specific depth is 277 degrees F (136 degrees C), the extremely high productivity index indicates potential production of five to six megawatts from this well," said Daniel Kunz, U.S. Geothermal's president and CEO. "This is a great start for development of the Neal Hot Springs project."