Geothermal Milestone Reached: Banska PGP-4 Well in Szaflary, Poland Hits 5-Kilometer Depth
By :Robert Buluma
In a significant development for geothermal energy enthusiasts, drilling operations at the Banska PGP-4 well in Szaflary, Poland have reached a depth of 5 kilometers, marking a major milestone in the project's progress towards its 7-kilometer target.
Since its inception, the ambitious geothermal drilling project in Szaflary has been making steady strides. As of the end of 2023, the well has successfully reached a depth of 5000 meters, uncovering promising results along the way. Notably, the well has tapped into a sizable reservoir boasting temperatures of 120 °C. The drilling will persist until it reaches the targeted depth of 7000 meters, where another aquifer is anticipated. The entire drilling endeavor is slated for completion within the first quarter of 2024.
Initiated in 2019, the plans to drill a 7-kilometer geothermal well in Podhale, Szaflary aimed at gathering crucial data on the subsurface geology of the Podhalanska Basin while harnessing a geothermal resource with temperatures surpassing 120 °C.
The groundwork for drilling commenced in early 2023, with actual drilling operations commencing in April of the same year. By October 2023, the project had reached its halfway point, with drilling still underway at a rate of approximately 40 meters per day.
Dr. Eng. Piotr Dlugosz, overseeing geological aspects of the project, expressed optimism regarding the findings thus far. It is speculated that a third aquifer, with temperatures reaching 150 °C, will be encountered at the 7000 meters depth. However, given the unexplored nature of such depths in the region, it remains an area of intrigue. Encouragingly, two reservoirs have already been discovered – one at 85 °C and another at 120 °C.
In addition to scientific endeavors, plans are underway to utilize geothermal energy from the well for networked heating in the commune of Szaflary and the city of Nowy Targ. Local authorities have indicated that tenders for the construction of this heating network will soon be announced.
To connect the Szaflary well to the Miejskie Przedsi?biorstwo Energetyki Cieplej (MPEC) facility and residential areas of Nowy Targ, approximately 10 kilometers of pipeline will need to be laid down. The Szaflary commune will undertake the construction of a section of the network, albeit a shorter one.
We did an article on Status of Geothermal In Poland
Both local governments have secured funding to support these initiatives. The Polish Order Fund: Strategic Investment Program has allocated PLN 30 million (approx. USD 7.5 million) for networked heating implementation, while geothermal drilling operations have received funding amounting to PLN 132 million (approx. USD 33.2 million) for the construction of the main line from the Szaflary well.
Source: geotermalny
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