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KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Geothermal Wells Over Licence Error

KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Wells Over 18-Year Licence Blunder Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) faces a serious legal and operational risk at Olkaria after an error in the coordinates of its geothermal licence left part of the company’s wells, steam infrastructure and other assets outside its legally recognised area. The licensing mistake, made nearly two decades ago, remains unresolved despite the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum acknowledging the problem in 2017.  The dispute has raised questions about the security of KenGen’s investments, the government’s management of geothermal resources and the potential consequences for Kenya’s electricity supply. Olkaria is the country’s most important geothermal centre and accounts for the overwhelming majority of Kenya’s installed geothermal generation capacity.  Licence Error Exposes Strategic Assets The problem dates back to September 19, 2008, when the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum issued KenGen a licence covering ...

XGS Energy Acquires Capuono Engineering Geothermal Service Company To Bolster Its Grip

XGS Energy  Acquires Premier Geothermal Drilling Services Company Capuano Engineering

By:Robert Buluma

In a bold move set to redefine the geothermal energy landscape, XGS Energy has announced the acquisition of Capuano Engineering, a leading global player in geothermal drilling and completion services. This strategic acquisition positions XGS Energy to expand its innovative geothermal technology on a global scale, leveraging Capuano Engineering's extensive expertise and experience in the field.

A Leap Forward in Geothermal Technology

XGS Energy , based in Palo Alto, California, has been at the forefront of geothermal energy innovation. Their proprietary Thermal Reach Enhancement (TRE) system uses materials that are 50 times more thermally conductive than rock, enabling high-efficiency closed-loop geothermal systems. Unlike conventional geothermal technologies that require specific geological conditions and access to water reservoirs, XGS’s technology can be deployed anywhere, offering unprecedented geographic flexibility.



The Power of Expertise

The acquisition brings onboard Lou Capuano, Jr., the founder, president, and CEO of Capuano Engineering, who is widely regarded as the most technically and operationally experienced geothermal drilling engineer in the world. With decades of experience and a history of leadership within the Geothermal Resources Council, Lou Capuano's expertise is invaluable as XGS Energy embarks on constructing large-scale geothermal power infrastructure projects globally.

“Lou Capuano is the most technically and operationally experienced geothermal drilling engineer in the world. His expertise and capabilities are essential as we begin construction of large-scale geothermal power infrastructure projects around the world,” said Josh Prueher, CEO of XGS ENERGY

The Future of Geothermal Energy

Capuano Engineering, now a subsidiary of XGS, will continue to operate under its well-known brand, "Capuano Engineering, an XGS Energy Company." The subsidiary will maintain its commitment to traditional hydrothermal and next-generation geothermal developers while also dedicating resources to advancing XGS’s pioneering technology.

A Synergy of Innovation and Experience

Lou Capuano, Jr. expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “In my work with the XGS team, I have consistently been impressed by the potential of their technology to drive the next wave of geothermal scale globally. By combining XGS’ disruptive technology with our extensive operational experience, I believe we have the opportunity to lead the next-generation geothermal market.”

AboutXGS Energy

XGS Energy is dedicated to providing clean, round-the-clock energy with its solid-state geothermal system, which uses thermally conductive materials to generate affordable energy from hot rock. This technology decouples geothermal energy production from traditional natural water resources and geological conditions, facilitating low-risk, geographically flexible, and rapidly deployable power projects.

About Capuano Engineering Company

Founded in 2012, Capuano Engineering Company specializes in geothermal resource development globally. With a track record of drilling hundreds of geothermal wells across various continents, Capuano Engineering is a leader in providing comprehensive project management, drilling plan development, and cost control analysis for geothermal projects.

For more information on  and its groundbreaking geothermal technology, Check here

We recently reported on XGS Energy raise of $20 Million for Geothermal Fasttracking

This acquisition marks a significant milestone in the quest for sustainable, reliable, and globally accessible geothermal energy. With the combined strengths of XGS Energy's innovative technology and Capuano Engineering's unmatched expertise, the future of geothermal energy looks brighter than ever.

Source:Business Wire

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