Jan 27 2010
U.S. Geothermal develops geothermal energy resources for producing electricity for direct use. A geothermal power plant is used for producing geothermal energy and it burns no fuel. The company has completed three different geothermal projects, namely, Neal Hot Springs, Raft River and San Emidio. The Neal Hot Springs geothermal project is located at eastern Oregon, nearly 90 miles northwest of Boise.
Neal Hot Springs Geothermal Project
At Neal Hot Springs project site, Chevron Minerals drilled and found commercial geothermal resource in a depth of 2,820 feet, during the late 1970s. The Chevron drill hole came upon massive lost circulation of drill fluids and high temperature in the geothermal zone. This indicated potentials for geothermal energy production. The Neal Hot Springs thermal project contains 9.6 square miles of geothermal energy. The surface rights are leased by U.S. Geothermal.
A consulting firm analyzed the geothermal fluid available from the Neal Hot Springs project. The cation geothermometer results showed availability of the reservoir temperature ranging from 311 degrees Fahrenheit to 320 degrees Fahrenheit and the distal source temperature ranging from 340 degrees Fahrenheit to 356 degrees Fahrenheit. Using the gravity and magnetic surveys, a geophysical program was completed in February 2007. The company has planned to produce 26 megawatts of power.