OG Selects $14 Million Enhanced Geothermal Systems Demonstration Project in Pennsylvania

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Geothermal today announced a $14 million project to support field tests for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Led by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the project will leverage the significant thermal resources in the Appalachian Utica Shale to assess the efficacy and scalability of EGS in the eastern United States.

The project activities include converting a horizontal shale gas well to geothermal. The effort will include assessing optimal well orientations and placements, as well as testing various techniques to create the fractures necessary for a human-made geothermal reservoir, or EGS. If successful, the project will offer a replicable model that could expand the use of EGS in more locations nationwide.

This project is the second selection under OG’s EGS Pilot Demonstrations opportunity. Learn more about the EGS pilot projects and OG’s other EGS research.  

Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time.