SLB and Ormat Technologies have selected Desert Peak in Nevada as the preferred location for a planned enhanced geothermal system (EGS) pilot, following a multi-site evaluation across existing geothermal fields.
Understanding subsurface conditions is critical to the successful industrialization of EGS activities. Early evaluation, modeling and simulation of subsurface conditions help reduce uncertainty because geology, stress conditions and heat distribution directly influence project feasibility and long-term reservoir performance.
SLB evaluated multiple Ormat-operated geothermal fields across Nevada using an integrated subsurface workflow. The approach combined geological interpretation, geomechanical analysis and development inputs to enable consistent comparison across candidate sites and address key EGS challenges, including stimulation efficiency, fluid flow consistency, parasitic losses, water loss, and geochemical complications.
Desert Peak emerged as the strongest candidate based on its combination of technical potential and development practicality. The site also benefits from proximity to existing infrastructure, along with defined corridors for potential well placement between known structural features.
With the site selected, the appraisal phase will further refine the development concept and reduce remaining uncertainty. Planned activities include new magnetotelluric and seismic surveys to support development of a 3D mechanical earth model for fracture, thermal, hydraulic and mechanical analysis, as well as optimized well placement and stimulation program design.
This approach reflects SLB and Ormat’s view that a focus on structured, data-driven evaluation is needed to improve development predictability and reduce execution risk in complex geothermal environments, and to scale and industrialize EGS. The work builds on the companies’ October 2025 agreement to co-develop integrated geothermal assets and progress EGS from pilot to commercial deployment.
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