Geothermal directional drilling

Leveraging geothermal experience and technologies to drill geothermal wells consistently, faster, and more efficiently

Overview

Precise directional control for geothermal wells

SLB provides the expert directional drilling services needed for high-quality, geothermal wellbores that stay in your optimal production zone. Our proven trajectory control technologies provide precise directional control using our logging-while-drilling (LWD) and measurement-while-drilling (MWD) services that deliver high-quality data. This enables time-critical decisions for accurate well construction.

Directional drilling technologies

We have unmatched directional drilling capabilities that integrate well construction digitalization with technologies that overcome complex geothermal well conditions, including temperatures exceeding 500 degF [20 degC] as well as abrasive and hard rock. Our workflows combine close collaboration with directional drillers and real-time analysis solutions to monitor downhole conditions, manage bottomhole assembly (BHA) dynamics, improve casing-point selection, and reduce drilling risks—all enhancing geothermal drilling.

Optimal wellbore path

Our advanced BHA instruments can measure the path of the geothermal wellbore in 3D space and map volumetric data, see up to 100 ft ahead of our innovative geothermal-capable drill bits, and provide data links to communicate these downhole measurements to the surface. And it all enables the directional driller to optimize the wellbore path with pinpoint accuracy—no matter how complex the well, no matter how long the lateral.

Read how SLB’s geothermal directional drilling capabilities can help you reach for better well economics.

Real-time well log from PeriScope HD service for guiding 8.5-in geothermal well drilling.

Case Study

Accurately Detecting Boundaries—Geothermal Well Drilling, France

Case Study

Kaldera Bit Drills Geothermal Well Section 25% Farther for Northern California Power Agency

Precision 539 rig drilling first-ever geothermal well on the Cornell University campus using the HydraGlyde fluid system.

Case Study

Cornell Earth Source Heat Project

Geothermal Webinar Series

Hear directly from our experts about solutions that optimize your geothermal project.

Explore all webinars

Directional and Surveying Challenges in Geothermal Well Construction

Using a real-world case study, SLB Fellow Ross Lowdon, head of surveying at SLB, and Mark Hodder, vice president for well engineering and operations at Eavor, discuss how AGS wells operate as closed-loop systems that require precise directional drilling and specialized technology to join the wells at depth.

Now available on-demand

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Geothermal Webinar Series: Challenges in Well Construction

Increasing Production in Thin Geothermal Reservoirs

Janine Maalouf, well placement domain champion in Europe, will discuss how placing a horizontal doublet in thin permeable layers using logging-while-drilling deep electromagnetic multibed boundary mapping and borehole imaging technologies can help maximize reservoir exposure.

Now available on-demand

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Janine Maalouf, domain expert, geothermal

Managing Temperature to Enable Directional Drilling to 500 degC

Optimize your geothermal projects: Our panel featuring Nicholas Goura and Seth Champness will discuss the critical considerations necessary to drill a directional well with full fluid returns into a formation with a static temperature of 500 degC.

Now available on-demand

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