Drilling of deep geothermal well reached nearly 1,000 meters in depth

The drilling of the deep geothermal well at the Laakso riding arena began in mid-September. We have now reached a depth of nearly one kilometer. During the first phase of drilling, the focus has been on testing and optimizing the drilling equipment.

The target depth of the energy well is 3,500 meters. The first nearly 1,000 meters have been drilled primarily over the course of 13 test drilling days. Drilling at the Laakso riding arena has progressed well. At approximately 220 meters, a softer rock layer was encountered, and at 330 meters, a fracture zone in the bedrock. These did not cause problems for the water hammer drilling technology chosen for the project.

Next, a steel casing will be installed in the borehole down to a depth of one kilometer. The casing prevents the groundwater from mixing with the water circulating in the well.

Regular monitoring of rock material, water samples, and seismic activity

Regular monitoring of rock and water samples from the borehole began at the same time with the drilling as well as seismic monitoring. The rock samples are analyzed for common rock types and minerals. The Helsinki University Institute of Seismology has been monitoring the drilling at Laakso and has not detected any seismic activity.

Due to the selected drilling technology, the clean rock dust generated from the drilling can be directly used for soil improvement. The Laakso Joint Hospital project aims to utilize the rock dust primarily in land improvement projects, which serve the public good.

Fuel consumption during the water hammer drilling process has now been monitored and it appears to be more than 50% lower compared to drilling a similar well with air-powered hammer technology.

Production drilling phase begins

The testing phase of the drilling equipment has been completed, and the so-called production drilling phase will begin next. Production drilling will focus on continuous drilling.

The goal is to achieve an average drilling rate of about 100 meters per drilling day. The drilling of the first deep geothermal well is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Geothermal energy is key to achieving the ambitious energy-efficiency targets set for the project

Geothermal energy is used to meet the ambitious energy efficiency targets set for the project by its owners, the City of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital HUS. Deep geothermal energy wells are a part of the comprehensive energy system designed for the Laakso Hospital area. The water rising from the geothermal energy well is used to heat the buildings of the Laakso Joint Hospital currently under construction.

For more Information

Anna Tainio, Communications Manager, Real Estate Limited Company Laakso, [email protected], tel. +358 40 841 3600

Marko Heino, CEO, Real Estate Limited Company Laakso, [email protected], tel. +358 40 158 9551