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Top 10 Critical Geothermal Energy Problems Costs Risks Seismicity

Top 10 Geothermal Problems: Why a 24/7 Resource Still Struggles to Scale Image credit : Fida, C.E.O Geosilica... This is what scaling looks like downhole in geothermal pipes Intelligence; Strategy for the Geothermal Decade Geothermal energy is often presented as the clean firm resource that can support a renewable electricity system around the clock. It does not depend on sunshine, it can operate through calm weather, and it can provide heat and power for decades. Kenya already relies heavily on geothermal generation , Iceland uses geothermal heat across its economy, and next generation developers are now signing large power contracts with technology companies seeking reliable carbon free electricity. Yet the global geothermal sector remains small compared with solar and wind, with installed electricity capacity still near 16 GW.  That gap is not caused by one obstacle. It is produced by a chain of interlocking problems involving geology, drilling, finance, permitting, public acce...

"Equinor Uncovers Seventh Treasure in the North Sea: An Oil and Gas Discovery"

Equinor Strikes Again! The energy giant has made a remarkable discovery in the North Sea, marking the seventh find since autumn of 2019. The latest addition to its list of achievements, the Røver Sør discovery, is said to hold an estimated 17 to 47 MMboe, with a majority of it being oil.

Jan Arne Wold and Elisabeth Sahl / ©Equinor
Partnered with DNO, Wellesley Petroleum and Petoro, Equinor operates the production license and continues to make waves in the oil and gas industry with its string of successful discoveries, including Echino Sør (2019), Swisher (2020), Røver Nord (2021), Blasto (2021), Toppand (2022), and Kveikje (2022).

Geir Sørtveit, Equinor's Senior Vice President for Exploration and Production West Operations, says that discoveries close to existing infrastructure are vital to maintain oil and gas production on the Norwegian continental shelf, as they are more profitable and can be brought to production with minimal carbon emissions. With Røver Sør being in close proximity to the Troll field and other discoveries, it's already deemed to be a commercial success.

Although the exact size of the discovery is yet to be determined, the estimated average volume is around 350 million barrels of oil equivalent, making it a medium-sized Norwegian oil or gas field, similar to the size of the Aasta Hansteen field in the Norwegian sea. Equinor has already started field development projects to coordinate the development of its previous discoveries, and Røver Sør will be part of this work.

The next exploration well in the area, Heisenberg, is set to provide results in March, with more planned for later in the year. Keep an eye on Equinor as it continues to conquer the oil and gas industry with each new discovery.

The steps involved in making an oil discovery are:

Exploration: This involves the use of geological, geophysical and geochemical techniques to identify areas with potential oil deposits. Seismic surveys, drilling and well log analysis are commonly used exploration methods.

Lease Acquisition: If a potential oil deposit is identified, a lease agreement must be secured to explore and drill for oil on the property.

Drilling: The next step is to drill a well to determine if oil is present in commercial quantities. This typically involves drilling to a depth of several kilometers into the earth.

Testing: After drilling, the well is tested to determine the rate at which oil can be produced and the quality of the oil. The results of these tests are used to make a decision on whether to continue with further development.

Appraisal: If the test results are positive, the next step is to conduct a more detailed appraisal to determine the size of the reservoir and the feasibility of commercial production. This may involve additional drilling and testing.

Development: If the appraisal is positive, the next step is to develop the field to bring the oil to production. This may involve the construction of production facilities, pipelines and other infrastructure.

Production: Once the field is developed, oil production can begin. The oil is typically transported to a processing facility for treatment and storage.

Maintenance and Monitoring: Ongoing maintenance and monitoring is required to ensure the safe and efficient production of oil from the field. This may involve the replacement of equipment and the management of environmental impact.

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Source:(https://worldoil.com/news/2023/2/9/equinor-makes-seventh-oil-and-gas-discovery-in-north-sea/)

#Equinox #Northsea #Discovery

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