MB Century sells Rig 32 to Webster Energy Services: what the move means for New Zealand geothermal drilling MB Century and Webster Energy Services have agreed the sale of MB Century’s Drillmec HH350 drilling rig, Rig 32, with completion slated for December 2026 after the rig finishes its current campaign for Tūaropaki Power Company. The transaction signals a strategic shift for MB Century,moving away from direct drilling ownership toward concentrating on engineering, reservoir and technical services,while Webster Energy uses the acquisition to deepen its footprint in the New Zealand geothermal market. This article summarises the deal, then drills into the operational, market and workforce implications for New Zealand’s geothermal sector, the strategic logic for both companies, and what the transaction suggests about capacity, competition and future drilling trends. Deal overview and timeline Parties: MB Century (seller) and Webster Energy Services (buyer). - Asset: Drillmec HH350 rig k...
Announcing the Top 5 Most Innovative Geothermal Projects in 2024 The anticipation is building as the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) reveals the finalists for the prestigious Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award 2024. These groundbreaking projects showcase the forefront of geothermal technology and will be vying for recognition at the GeoTHERM expo & congress, set to unfold between February 29 and March 1, 2024, in Offenburg, Germany. 1. Canopus Drilling Solutions Geothermal BV (Netherlands) Project: Field pilot of the Directional Steel Shot Drilling technology at VersuchsStollen Hagerbach, CH. Canopus Drilling Solutions introduces the Directional Steel Shot Drilling (DSSD) technology, proving its ability to drill three times faster than traditional methods. A successful field pilot at VersuchsStollen Hagerbach demonstrated the prowess of DSSD by steering through various rock types and depths, marking a significant leap in drilling efficiency. 2. Deu...