Wells2Watts: First-ever closed-loop geothermal testing facility on track!

GreenFire Energy, Vallourec and Baker Hughes are glad to announce that the advanced closed-loop geothermal testing, the first initiative of their Wells2Watts consortium, is on track for the demonstration and testing phase.

Our insulated solutions are an important part of GreenFire Energy’s closed-loop systems to be demonstrated and Vallourec’s THERMOCASE^® VIT has been delivered to the Baker Hughes Energy Innovation Center in Oklahoma City.

The Wells2Watts consortium is a group of large oil and gas companies led by Baker Hughes that aims to demonstrate the transformation of non-productive oil and gas wells into geothermal wells capable of generating renewable electrical power. GreenFire Energy is providing its Advanced Geothermal System (AGS), called GreenFire’s GreenLoop™ (GreenLoop) to be demonstrated in the first-ever closed-loop geothermal test facility in the world.

The advanced closed-loop geothermal testing will bring a new level of science and comprehensive testing to GreenFire’s GreenLoop. GreenLoop includes a Downbore Heat Exchanger (DBHX) which circulates a working fluid through a sealed tube to absorb heat and return the heat to the surface. Insulated tubulars are an essential part of the DBHX. Vallourec is providing its Vacuum Insulated Tubing (VIT) solution for GreenFire Energy’s demonstration but also offers a range of other insulated tubulars for geothermal.

“The delivery of Vallourec’s tubular solutions to our testing facility marks a significant milestone for the Wells2Watts consortium’s advanced closed-loop geothermal testing initiative,” said Robert Klenner, Advanced Geothermal Leader, Baker Hughes and Executive Director of the Wells2Watts consortium. “With the comprehensive testing and technology that GreenFire Energy’s GreenLoop and Vallourec’s Vacuum Insulated Tubing solutions bring to the project, we are confident that we can successfully demonstrate the transformation of non-productive oil and gas wells into reliable and sustainable geothermal wells capable of generating renewable electrical power.”

“The opportunity to demonstrate and test GreenFire’s GreenLoop™ technology with our strategic partners Baker Hughes, Vallourec, and Helmerich & Payne plus other oil and gas companies that are members of the Wells2Watts consortium, opens a massive market for our technology worldwide,” said Joseph Scherer, chief executive officer, GreenFire Energy Inc.

“Vallourec’s participation in Wells2Watts in both engineering and state of the art technology like THERMOCASE^® VIT demonstrates our commitment to advancing AGS. We are confident that this consortium, and the results we will produce, will validate GreenFire’s GreenLoop™ viability for retrofitted wells,” said Joe Hill Jr., North America Director, Vallourec^® New Energies.

Baker Hughes is an energy technology company that provides solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and conducting business in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward – making it safer, cleaner, and more efficient for people and the planet. Visit us at bakerhughes.com.

GreenFire Energy is committed to accelerating the generation of clean, continuous, reliable geothermal energy. The firm’s approach includes GreenFire’s GreenLoop™ closed-loop technology, a versatile Advanced Geothermal System (AGS); rich global geothermal expertise, both in-house and with industry-recognized partners; and collaboration with the world’s largest geothermal operating companies to deliver geothermal energy rapidly and economically. GreenFire Energy is based in the San Francisco, California area. Visit us at www.greenfireenergy.com.