Drilling for Geothermal Data in West Virginia

Dr. Shikha Sharma, WVU professor of Geology and IsoBioGeM lab director, is leading a team of researchers who will gather data from an exploratory borehole well near Morgantown in May 2023. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the team will provide the first geological data on whether geothermal reservoirs can be a clean energy source for parts of West Virginia and Mid-Appalachia.

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

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

WVU geothermal well pad in the Morgantown WV Industrial Park

WVU announces drill date

Drilling starts on the West Virginia University geothermal and carbon capture data-collection well during the second week of May, marking a significant step forward in clean energy research in West Virginia.

Views and Visions magazine cover Energized

Views & Visions features Energy Institute's geothermal project

We’re pleased the energy issue of Views and Visions features the Energy Institute's latest geothermal research project. Read Article, p.16

Bubbling to the surface: WVU engineers develop new geothermal energy technology

WVU researchers will drill down three miles to test the potential of geothermal energy.

Digging for newer, cleaner solutions: WVU-lead team tapped to explore geothermal energy

WVU researchers will drill down three miles to test the potential of geothermal energy.

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