Drilling for Geothermal and CCS Data in West Virginia

Dr. Shikha Sharma, WVU professor of Geology and IsoBioGeM lab director, is leading a team of researchers who gathered data from an exploratory well near Morgantown. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the team collected the first geological data on whether geothermal reservoirs can be a clean energy source for parts of West Virginia and Mid-Appalachia. Carbon storage is also part of the research project. The team is currently analyzing the data.

This exploratory well was a borehole drilled 3 miles vertically to assess the geothermal heat potential in this region. The well was used to collect critical rock samples and data on heat temperatures. It was not a production well, meaning no energy or heat came out of the well, only scientific data and rocks. No fracking was involved.

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What’s so hot about this research?

Mention geothermal energy in the US, and most will point to the West. This research will help decide if geothermal heat can be added to West Virginia's energy mix.

Advancing WVU's efforts to add cleaner, renewable power to reduce its carbon footprint
Deepest geothermal borehole in Mid-Appalachia (15,000 ft.)
Using state-of-the-art oil and gas drilling techniques for a geothermal data well
Evaluating shallow formations for thermal energy storage
Researching low-temperature geothermal data in the eastern U.S. and demonstrating its capabilities as a heat resource beyond the western states

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Keeping you updated on the latest geothermal projects at West Virginia University.

Shikha Sharma pictured with WVU students

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geothermal well pad image by Andy Travis, Northeast Natural Energy

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