Skip to main content

SLB and Ormat Join Forces to Accelerate Next-Generation Geothermal Development

A groundbreaking partnership to commercialize Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and redefine clean energy for the AI era

By: Robert Buluma

In a major leap for global clean energy innovation, SLB (NYSE: SLB) and Ormat  Technologies (NYSE: ORA) have announced a strategic partnership aimed at fast-tracking the development and deployment of integrated geothermal assets, including Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)  the next frontier in geothermal technology.

Unveiled on October 27, 2025, this collaboration brings together SLB’s deep expertise in subsurface engineering and well construction with Ormat’s six-decade legacy in geothermal power plant development and operations. The goal? To unlock the Earth’s untapped heat potential and make geothermal energy accessible far beyond conventional hydrothermal hotspots.

🔥 The Future of Geothermal: Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)

Traditional geothermal relies on naturally occurring steam or hot water reservoirs. EGS, however, creates artificial geothermal reservoirs by circulating water through hot dry rock formations deep underground. This revolutionary technology could enable geothermal energy generation virtually anywhere, transforming it into a globally scalable, carbon-free power source.

The U.S. Department of Energy projects that next-generation geothermal could deliver up to 90 GW by 2050, and potentially 300 GW in the United States alone — enough to power millions of homes and meet soaring demand driven by AI data centers and electrification trends.

⚙️ Key Highlights of the SLB–Ormat Partnership

  • Joint Technology & Project Development:
    The two companies will co-develop integrated geothermal systems for optimal long-term performance, merging SLB’s subsurface knowledge with Ormat’s proven power generation technologies.

  • EGS Pilot Project:
    A demonstration project at an existing Ormat site will validate commercial-scale deployment, covering all stages from design to power generation.

  • Commercial Scale-Up:
    Upon successful piloting, the partners plan to commercialize EGS globally, targeting utilities, independent power producers, and data center operators.

⚡ Driving the AI Energy Revolution

“There is an urgent need to meet the growing demand for energy driven by AI and other factors,” said Gavin Rennick, President of New Energy at SLB. “By partnering with Ormat, we will make both traditional and enhanced geothermal systems truly competitive and commercially viable.”

Doron Blachar, CEO of Ormat Technologies, echoed this sentiment: “AI-driven demand is reshaping the energy landscape. This collaboration will accelerate the deployment of scalable, sustainable EGS solutions and expand our geothermal development pipeline.”

Together, SLB and Ormat are crafting a critical blueprint for the future of clean baseload power — one that combines the reliability of geothermal with the scalability needed for a digital, AI-powered world.

🌍 Why This Matters

As the world races toward net-zero goals, geothermal energy offers an unmatched blend of reliability, sustainability, and scalability. Unlike solar or wind, it delivers 24/7 clean baseload power. With EGS technology, geothermal could finally rise to the same global prominence as other renewables — potentially becoming the cornerstone of the clean energy transition.

This ain't nothing new seeing Ormat and SLB go berserk when it comes to the heat beneath our feet as we had reported earlier on this.

The SLB–Ormat alliance signals a new era of cross-sector collaboration, proving that when oilfield innovation meets renewable expertise, the possibilities for sustainable energy are limitless.


Source:SLB

Connect with us: LinkedIn, X
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Hot Topics 🔥

Geothermal Energy Powers Next Generation Sustainable Data Centers

Geothermal Power Meets Data Centers in Strategic Shift By: Robert Buluma The global energy landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, and at the heart of this shift lies an unexpected but powerful convergence: geothermal energy and digital infrastructure . In a move that signals both ambition and foresight, Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGEO) is preparing to expand beyond its traditional role as a power producer and enter the rapidly growing data center industry . This is not just another diversification strategy. It is a calculated leap into the future—one that aligns renewable energy with the insatiable demand for digital services. The implications are far-reaching, not only for Indonesia but for the global energy-tech nexus. A Bold Step Beyond Electricity For decades, geothermal companies have largely focused on one thing: generating electricity. PGEO , a subsidiary of Indonesia’s energy giant Pertamina, has been no exception. With a growing portfolio of geothermal assets and...
Post a Comment
Read more

Engie advances geothermal exploration for Réunion Island energy independence

Engie’s Geothermal Ambitions in Réunion Island: A Turning Point for Energy Independence in Volcanic Territories By: Robert Buluma In a world increasingly defined by the urgency of energy transition, remote island territories stand at the frontline of both vulnerability and opportunity. The recent move by to secure a geothermal exploration permit in marks more than just another project milestone—it signals a potential transformation in how isolated regions harness their natural resources to break free from fossil fuel dependency. This development, centered in the Cafres-Palmistes highlands, is not merely about drilling wells or building a power plant. It is about unlocking the immense geothermal promise hidden beneath volcanic landscapes, navigating environmental sensitivities, and setting a precedent for sustainable energy in island economies worldwide. A Strategic Foothold in Volcanic Terrain Réunion Island, located east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, is a geological marvel...
Post a Comment
Read more

Eavor’s Geretsried Closed-Loop Geothermal Plant Now Powers the Grid

Eavor Technologies Achieves Historic Milestone: World’s First Commercial-Scale Closed-Loop Geothermal System Now Delivering Power in Geretsried, Germany Published: December 2025 By:  Robert Buluma The Day Geothermal Changed Forever On a crisp Bavarian morning in late 2025, a quiet revolution in clean energy officially went live.   Eavor Technologies Inc ., the Calgary-based pioneer of closed-loop geothermal technology, announced that its flagship commercial project in Geretsried, Germany has begun delivering power to the grid becoming the world’s first utility-scale multilateral closed-loop geothermal system to achieve commercial operation. For anyone who has followed the geothermal sector for the last decade, this is nothing short of seismic (pun intended). What Makes Eavor’s Closed-Loop System Truly Disruptive? Traditional geothermal plants rely on naturally occurring hot water reservoirs or enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) that require hydraulic fracturing and massiv...
Post a Comment
Read more

Zanskar Secures $40M to Unlock Geothermal Growth Potential

Zanskar’s $40M Breakthrough: The Financial Engine Geothermal Has Been Waiting For By:  Robert Buluma In a world racing toward clean energy dominance, geothermal has long stood as the quiet giant—immensely powerful, endlessly reliable, yet frustratingly underdeveloped. While solar and wind surged ahead, buoyed by favorable financing structures and rapid deployment models, geothermal remained trapped behind a stubborn barrier: early-stage capital risk . That narrative is now shifting—dramatically. With the closing of a $40 million Development Capital Facility by , the geothermal sector may have just witnessed one of its most pivotal financial breakthroughs in decades. Structured to scale up to $100 million, this financing model is not just capital—it is infrastructure for scale , a blueprint that could redefine how geothermal projects are funded, developed, and deployed globally. The Breakthrough: More Than Just $40 Million At first glance, $40 million may not seem revolutionar...
Post a Comment
Read more

Menengai III Geothermal Plant Powers Kenya’s Clean Energy Future

Menengai III Breakthrough: How Kaishan’s 35MW Geothermal Plant Is Reshaping Kenya’s Energy Future By : Robert Buluma Introduction: A Quiet Revolution Beneath Kenya’s Soil On March 10, 2026, a significant yet understated milestone was achieved in Kenya’s renewable energy journey. The Menengai III 35MW geothermal power plant officially began commercial operations, marking another step forward in harnessing the immense geothermal potential of the East African Rift. Developed  by KAISHAN through its subsidiary , the project has successfully completed reliability testing and is now feeding electricity into the national grid under a long-term power purchase agreement with . But beyond the numbers—35MW capacity, 25-year operational timeline, and an estimated $15 million in annual revenue—this project tells a deeper story. It is a story of strategic geothermal expansion, foreign investment confidence, and Kenya’s ambition to dominate Africa’s clean energy landscape. Menengai: Africa...
Post a Comment
Read more

Geothermal Lithium Breakthrough Powers Clean Energy and EV Future

Power Beneath the Surface: How Geothermal Lithium Is Rewriting the Energy Future In the global race toward clean energy and electrification, a quiet revolution is unfolding deep beneath our feet. It is not driven by wind turbines slicing through the sky or solar panels stretching across deserts, but by something far more constant, more reliable—and arguably more transformative. Geothermal energy, long recognized for its ability to deliver steady baseload power, is now stepping into an entirely new role: powering the extraction of one of the world’s most critical minerals—lithium. At the center of this breakthrough stands (GEL) , a company redefining what geothermal projects can achieve. Their latest milestone—securing funding under the UK’s ambitious DRIVE35 programme—signals not just a win for one company, but a turning point for the entire clean energy ecosystem. This is not just a story about energy. It is a story about convergence—where heat, chemistry, engineering, and policy c...
Post a Comment
Read more

New Geothermal Field Discovered Beneath Iceland’s Hellisheiði Region

A New Geothermal Frontier at Hellisheiði: Iceland’s Hidden Heat Revolution Emerges from Meitlar Introduction: When the Earth Speaks Again In the quiet, volcanic landscapes of Iceland, where fire and ice have coexisted for millennia, a new chapter in geothermal energy is quietly unfolding. On April 16, 2026, a major announcement emerged from Orkuveitan (Reykjavík Energy), revealing the discovery of a previously unidentified geothermal area at Meitlar on Hellisheiði. If confirmed by a third exploratory well, this discovery could reshape not only Iceland’s energy landscape but also the global conversation around deep geothermal exploration, energy security, and sustainable heat production. This is not just another geological update. It is a signal—an indication that even in one of the most studied geothermal regions on Earth, the subsurface still holds untapped surprises. Hellisheiði: A Global Benchmark for Geothermal Energy Hellisheiði is already one of the most important geotherma...
Post a Comment
Read more

Iceland Drilling Company Powers Nevis Geothermal Energy Independence

🔥 Beneath the Island: Nevis’ Bold Geothermal Leap Toward Energy Independence In a world increasingly defined by the urgency of energy security and climate resilience, small island nations are no longer waiting on the sidelines. Instead, they are stepping into the future—drilling deep beneath their own soil to unlock one of the most powerful, constant, and underutilized energy sources on Earth: geothermal. The recent agreement between and marks a pivotal moment—not just for , but for the entire Caribbean region. This is more than a project. It is a declaration. A signal that the era of fossil fuel dependency for island nations may finally be nearing its end. 🌋 A Sleeping Giant Beneath Nevis For decades, the Caribbean has been known for its sun, sea, and tourism-driven economies. But beneath this idyllic surface lies something far more powerful—vast geothermal reservoirs formed by volcanic activity deep within the Earth. Nevis, part of the twin-island nation , sits atop such a r...
Post a Comment
Read more

Beneath Borders: Europe’s Cross-Border Geothermal Breakthrough

Cross-Border Geothermal Power: Europe’s Silent Energy Revolution Introduction: Beneath Borders Lies Power In a world increasingly defined by energy insecurity, volatile fossil fuel markets, and the urgent need to combat climate change, a quiet revolution is taking shape—not above ground, but deep beneath it. Far below the political boundaries that divide nations, heat flows freely. And now, countries are beginning to realize something profound: energy cooperation doesn’t have to stop at borders—especially when the resource itself doesn’t recognize them. The recent geothermal collaboration between Belgium and the Netherlands signals more than just a regional project. It represents a paradigm shift in how nations think about energy, infrastructure, and sustainability . This is not just about electricity. This is about redefining sovereignty in an age of shared resources. Understanding Geothermal Energy: The Power Beneath Our Feet Geothermal energy harnesses the Earth’s internal ...
Post a Comment
Read more

“UK Government Awards Weardale Lithium Funding to Advance Geothermal Lithium Extraction”

From Heat to Lithium: The Silent Revolution Beneath Weardale Deep beneath the rolling landscapes of northern England, a quiet revolution is taking shape—one that could redefine the future of both energy and critical minerals. In a world racing toward electrification, the convergence of geothermal energy and lithium extraction is no longer theoretical. It is real. It is happening. And it is accelerating. The recent announcement by —securing grant funding through the UK Government’s DRIVE35 Scale-Up: Feasibility Studies competition—signals far more than financial backing. It marks a decisive shift toward integrated subsurface resource utilization, where heat and minerals are extracted in harmony. This is not just a project. It is a blueprint for the future. The Strategic Importance of Lithium in a Decarbonizing World Lithium has rapidly become one of the most strategic resources of the 21st century. Often referred to as “white gold,” it is the backbone of modern battery technology, power...
Post a Comment
Read more