Western
Pennsylvania has a high pressure gradient, but I don't know how much that will matter in
a cased-hole Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) project. The area, I believe, has
a slightly higher geothermal or temperature gradient, which makes it a little
bit desirable for any geothermal project. However, EGS projects can extract
heat from low geothermal gradients, and it would be good to understand the heat
recovery potential of a cased horizontal well in this area. Thus, the announced
project will utilize an existing horizontal well in the Utica Shale. As noted
below, the pilot project plans to extract both heat and electricity from the
well and utilize existing infrastructure.
“The EGS pilot demonstration project will generate both
electrical power and thermal energy for rural communities in Indiana County, in
areas adjacent to legacy and active oil and gas development. The project will
extract heat from subsurface geologic formations and transfer it to the surface
using gas and fluid circulation in an EGS. This thermal energy will be used to
generate electricity for the local power grid and provide direct-use heat for
nearby homes and businesses.”
“DEP will serve as the project lead, in coordination
with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Geological
Survey. The project is supported by a world-class team of partners, including
Gradient Geothermal Inc., Teverra, Inc., Lehigh University, Idaho National
Laboratory, CNX Green Ventures, and Seequent.”
“CNX spokesman Brian Aiello said in an email that the
first phase of the project would be “a thorough assessment and modeling of
CNX’s Marchand Utica well in Indiana County.”
“That well, in North Mahoning Township, was first
drilled in 2013, according to state drilling records.”
The announcement included
federal government funding of $14 million provided by the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Act, enacted under the Biden administration.
According to the Journal of
Petroleum Technology:
“Building directly on horizontal drilling and completion
practices developed in the Utica, the project will include evaluation of
optimal well orientation, lateral placement, and spacing.”
“As the first enhanced geothermal systems demonstration
site located in the eastern United States, this project offers an important
opportunity to assess the ability of such systems to deliver reliable,
affordable geothermal electricity to Americans nationwide,” Kyle Haustveit,
assistant secretary of the HGEO, said in a DOE press release announcing the
project.”
I must admit that I am
skeptical the project will be an economic success or even lead to one, but
hopefully I am wrong about that. Unless there is something I don’t know about
the geothermal gradient in the area, it just does not seem hot enough, at least
compared to much hotter areas in the U.S. west and southwest.
It is early days for the project. The
well to be utilized is not yet decided on, and it is unclear whether another
well or wells will be drilled for injection and whether there will be
additional hydraulic fracturing to further create the reservoir.
I circled Indiana County on the geothermal gradient map below.
References:
Utica
Shale Targeted for $14 Million Enhanced Geothermal Systems Demonstration.
Journal of Petroleum Technology. April 27, 2026. Utica
Shale Targeted for $14 Million Enhanced Geothermal Systems Demonstration
Federal
money will pay for 'enhanced' geothermal project in Pennsylvania. Reid Frazier.
Allegheny Front. May 6, 2026. WESA 90.5 News. Pa.
gas well to become “enhanced” geothermal energy project | 90.5 WESA
Shapiro
Administration Secures $14 Million for Enhanced Geothermal Systems Pilot
Demonstration Project in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. April 16, 2026.
Shapiro
Administration Secures $14 Million for Enhanced Geothermal Systems Pilot
Demonstration Project in Pennsylvania | Department of Environmental Protection
| Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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