Geothermal Testing to run until October
By Bennette Roach
Reports on drilling for geothermal resource are that drilling at Well #2 for is complete. What is left is testing, and answers to the questions. ‘Is the resource really there, was the drilling adequate, was this a waste of money to date?”
Three weeks ago in the July 5, 2013 issue we headlined, “Hopes, Doubts and questions shroud geothermal resource exploration”, noting that Director of Public Works, Ron Beardsley who had been reporting on the progress of the drilling project for geothermal resource in the Cork Hill/Weekes area, citing, ‘very good news’ as he reports that the temperature at the geothermal site in the Cork Hill/Weekes area at Well #1has increased to 219.5°C.”
We reported also that the project had been plagued resulting from equipment and procurement problems. Members of the CRM group, who can be credited to have insisted that Government of Montserrat (GoM) and the people, should own everything to do with the geothermal development. This, resulted in the UK Government’s support. The group have long questioned the drilling capacity of the Iceland Drilling rig, which has the capability of going down a depth of only 2,400 meters (approximately 7,872 ft.
Since that report we learnt that the drilling rig at well #2 had suffered another equipment breakdown, but this quickly remedied, and drilling had recommenced on July 10, the same day DFID’s Dr. Kato Kimbugwe was responding to the media on various matters surrounding the geothermal development.
One answer dealt with how DFID would proceed with the production development progress, following a successful resource exploration, which he said ‘there is confidence that the resource is there in Well #1.
Kimbugwe said, “I think the way we’ve dealt with geothermal sets the tone for all the other SGP (Strategic growth plan), investments in that at every stage we will test the market to make sure that there is no private sector interest before any sort of UK funding is provided for geothermal.”
Earlier, Premier Meade had addressed that subject at a press briefing as follows: “…the understanding that the GoM is putting forward is, let us as a people own that resource , let’s develop it and own it. Let us not go to the private sector to seek funding for the development of the production side of things once we can get to the production phase…we have MUL as a power company which is wholly owned by the government of Montserrat, then let us deal with the development where MUL will take it forward…”
There was also the stated position of the Montserrat Geothermal Power Company (MGPC) group that said a month ago at a press briefing on June 28, “MGPC WILL on behalf of the people of Montserrat, provide a bid for the geothermal power complex in response to an Expression of Interest (EoI) or any other legally authorised tender.”
While all this happening and with drilling continuing at Well #2, and testing at #1, Dr. Kimbugwe told the media that testing will run through to October. “The next phase really after the current drilling is the testing phase which is expected to be completed sometime around October,” he said.
Drilling began on or about February 22, this year, with drilling and testing (of the resource) expected to last six months (four and two months respectively).
Beardsley had said at the beginning of this month, confirming previous statements as to testing, “…we can start pulling it (water) out…and then we can do our long-term testing from that point,” he said.
Our information provided, “reports about the geothermal exploration from the drilling had indicated that the geothermal resource was definite, but its power had to be ascertained and testings were being done for verification.” That information was from the moment Well #1 had been capped back in xxxx. Further information had indicated testing would last for about two months.
In that earlier story we also reported that officials from the Government overseers of the project had said: “There must be temperature, pressure and flow, tested for a minimum of two months to “prove” the resource.” Beardsley confirmed that later, but referred to it as, “our long-term testing.”
Well #2 – drilling completed
Meanwhile reliable Reports earlier in the week now say that drilling at Well #2 is complete, although today a Ministry of Communication & Works official, would only say that a statement is forthcoming in the coming week. Also unofficial is the news that while it was thought that Well #2 would have produced more positive existence of the resource, the only better news is that the temperature from the well is better than that of Well #1 when drilling had ceased.
Geothermal Unit and Steering Committee
That news is supposed to be good or better news, but although unofficial it did not change the doubts and fears that exist or surround the geothermal project. What keeps surfacing is that with a rig that can only reach straight down less than 2400 meters, the most encouraging information after Well #1 as we await the findings on Well #2, is, “they are confident the resource is there”. The following further statement by Kimbugwe in his response when he said, “…So once that have been proven in terms of whether you have a resource or not and the size of that resource,” once again cast doubt and uncertainty on the other statement of ‘confidence’.
Questions also surface on the management of the project, who speaks for it, who reports on it and to whom. According to project documents there was to be a “Geothermal Unit” which had to be in place prior to June 2012. The DFID rep was unable to name the entire Geothermal Unit, but said it was in place.
“Yes, you do have a geothermal unit. The geothermal unit is based in the Ministry of Communications and Works,” he responded, giving the names of two persons and two agencies, the other two he was unable to name, one of whom was to be an engineer.
That unit was, accordingly as the project dictated: “GoM will staff a new Geothermal Unit responsible for overall project management, procurement processes including evaluation of tenders and presentation to the GoM Central Tenders Board,. This Unit will report on all matters related to the drilling contract.
“The key positions in this unit will be:
1. Geothermal Project Manager – Contracted in for preparation, drilling and testing.
2. “Company Man” – Contracted in for the drilling operation which requires 24/7 cover (3 people on rotation.) 3. Civil Engineer (GoM local recruit) 4. Well Test Engineer (contracted)
5. Administrative and accountancy staff (GoM local recruit.) 6. Montserrat Volcano Observatory Staff – contracted for extra safety cover at unloading/loading.”
The dedicated Geothermal Unit was to, “be established to lead and oversee a successful drilling operation leading to the proving of a geothermal resource, on time and within budget.
“…to keep an accurate track of progress and expenditure, and use this to keep amending the programme as required and rolling forecasts out on a monthly basis…”
Besides this, GoM was to establish a Steering Committee for the geothermal exploratory drilling operation, to monitor progress and hold the geothermal unit to account. “This will be made up of : Financial Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development MCWL/PWD and DFID.”
