Geothermal Solutions
Geothermal is a clean, renewable, sustainable energy source used for power generation and district heating/cooling. Removing thermal energy from the ground is a challenging process, and geothermal wells must withstand extreme conditions. Vallourec’s tubular solutions allow geothermal assets to resist corrosion, intense pressure and high temperatures.
Our Solutions
Engineering tubular solutions for geothermal wells
Geothermal has proven potential as a clean energy source that can be accessed 24/7. Geothermal energy can be used distributed through turbines for power generation, or feed directly into district cooling or heating systems. However, the investment required to drill geothermal wells is high, and operators have traditionally offset these costs by using basic tubulars. This approach can be insufficient, and a potentially risky choice for operators in the long-term. Since geothermal wells are meant to operate for decades at a time, their tubulars must be able to consistently withstand a harsh environment. Choosing the right tubular solutions is critical to ensuring resistance to corrosion, erosion, changing temperature cycles and more, and can help owners optimize the costs of their geothermal assets.
An experienced pipe supplier with cutting-edge R&D
Vallourec offers a wide range of products, including:
- Standard basic API
- Semi-premiums with liquid-tight properties
- Premium, gas-tight connections
We offer high-performance steel tubulars that can withstand extreme corrosion, high pressure and a range of temperatures. With over 30 years of experience, worldwide manufacturing capabilities and dedicated R&D and testing facilities, Vallourec is ideally positioned to assess reservoirs and advise on the right materials and connections for geothermal projects. Our teams work closely with customers to ensure every solution meets the demanding conditions of geothermal wells.
VAM® 21: Premium Connection
VAM® 21 is the latest generation of advanced premium T&C connections qualified up to 350°C as per TWCEEP. As strong as the pipe and fully validated against API RP 5C5:2017 / ISO 13679:2019 CAL-IV across the entire product line, its innovative design has proven to be the extremely reliable on the field, whatever the application, even the most critical.
Performance
- Proven track record since 2010 with major for various energy applications
- Fast and reliable running
- Qualified on grades from 80 ksi to 125 ksi
- Validated with High Collapse pipes at collapse rating
- Flush ID reduces risk of fluid turbulence (erosion and corrosion)
- Qualified as per Thermal Well Casing Connection Evaluation Protocol (TWCCEP) protocol for Thermal Wells up to 350°C (662°F)
THERMOCASE® VIT
Maximizing heat extraction
THERMOCASE® VIT is a high-performance double wall insulated tubing using a durable Gettered Vacuum MLI (Multi Layer Insulation) System suitable for advanced geothermal systems such as closed loop geothermal systems.
THERMOCASE® VIT (Vacuum Insulated Tubing) minimizes fluid heat loss, increasing well power output and making the most of operators’ resources.
High Collapse Grades
The elevated temperatures of geothermal wells can induce significantly high collapse loads on casing.
Vallourec provides High Collapse grades, a cost-effective solution providing collapse ratings up to 50% higher than API. High Collapse grades can also be used to reduce the weight of the string and overall cost while maintaining collapse ratings and providing internal pipe clearance.
Documents and Resources
Nico Riyando - IIGCE 2022
News
Geothermal energy is a key pillar of the energy transition, offering clean and sustainable power generation...
Geothermal operators are facing several technical challenges that need to be tackled to ensure that geothermal wells are reliable on the long-run and optimized in terms of heat supply efficiency. The premium solutions (material, grades and services) that have been used for decades in Oil & Gas activities show promising results in enhancing geothermal wells’ reliability and performance. However, specific evaluations need to be performed to guarantee their compatibility.
Geothermal power is a clean, renewable, dispatchable and versatile source of energy and is poised to be a key contributor is the decarbonization of our economies.
We believe our expertise in geothermal wells will contribute to the standardization efforts initiated by the IGA, and ultimately help unleash the full potential of geothermal power!
The Earth is constantly radiating heat from radioactive decay.
By harvesting this underground heat, geothermal plants can produce continuous power all year round, making geothermal energy the only baseload and dispatchable renewable energy source.
VAM® 21 has once again gone beyond standard applications to meet the requirements needed to extract hot fluid from geothermal wells. The premium connection was recently installed in two of Geo Dipa Energi’s geothermal wells in the Dieng Plateau in Indonesia withstanding temperatures of up to 330°C. “We are very satisfied with the results obtained with VAM® 21 in our Dieng well, VAM® 21 was ran quickly and efficiently with zero rejects.” Yudi Hartono, Geo Dipa Energi Drilling Manager
