Work on the Puga Valley geothermal challenge by the ONGC in Ladakh, India is at present postponed pending the arrival of recent drilling tools.
Work on the Puga Valley geothermal challenge in Ladakh, India by the the state-run Oil and Pure Gasoline Company (ONGC) has at present been stalled following an incident in 2022 the place geothermal fluids flowed into the Puga Stream, prompting complaints from civil society and environmental organizations. To make sure that this doesn’t occur once more, a bigger drilling rig is at present being mobilized to the challenge web site.
With the logistical challenges, work on the challenge is anticipated to renew by 2024.
Historical past of the Puga Valley geothermal challenge
Plans for the geothermal challenge in Ladakh had been first introduced in early 2021 with the signing of an MOU between the ONGC and the native authorities of Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The signed MOU foresees the event of a challenge, beginning with a 1-MW Part 1 pilot, with ONGC because the implementing company.
“With this challenge, we hope to place India on the geothermal map of the world,” mentioned Ravi, director basic of the ONGC Vitality Centre (OEC), a physique arrange by ONGC to analysis and develop renewable vitality soruces. “Within the preliminary stage, we intend to drill a 1,000-metre properly, draw vitality from temperatures above 200 levels Celsius, and produce 1 megawatt [MW] of electrical energy. In superior levels, we will attain as much as 100 MW,”
In August 2022, the ONGC reported hitting high-pressure steam at 100 levels Celsius after only a week of drilling. A separate report said that temperatures starting from 180 to 190 levels Celsius had been discovered at a depth of simply 40 meters. These preliminary outcomes made the challenge crew very optimistic in regards to the viability of the challenge.
Bigger strain than anticipated
Whereas the very excessive pressures and flowrates had been advantageous when it comes to the viability of the challenge, it additionally created a significant setback. There was much more geothermal fluid than the ready tools can deal with, the unlucky consequence being that among the fluid flowed into the Puga Stream as a substitute of being pumped again underground.
” … We had calculated that there can be 1-2 kg per sq. centimeter, however there have been truly over 4 kg,” sassist Ravi.
This incident led to the postponement of the challenge whereas the correct drilling tools is being mobilized. “Preparations are already beneath manner for the transportation of the big drilling equipment to Ladakh for the aim of managed drilling. Transporting this enormous tools is a significant problem given the powerful terrain and logistical challenges alongside the 750km highway from Jammu to Leh,” mentioned Kumar.
Loads of upside
Kunzes Dolma, a geothermal knowledgeable and researcher from the Reykjavik College in Iceland, identified that geothermal has loads of advantages and that this incident shouldn’t dissuade from persevering with the challenge. Significantly in distant areas like Ladakh, geothermal “may also be used to warmth greenhouses, poultry farms, and residences along with producing electrical energy.”
Dolma additionally argued that geothermal has the least detrimental environmental affect of all vitality sources. It has no carbon emissions, doesn’t require a whole lot of land, and doesn’t generate e-waste.
To keep away from environment-related points just like the one encountered in Ladakh, Dolma really helpful that India develop a extra strong geothermal coverage that pulls from the experiences of nations like China and Iceland, the place the geothermal sector is extra superior.
Acho Sharma Namrak, a councillor for the Karzok Constituency, mentioned that the locals have been wanting ahead to the roles that the challenge will create. “Folks have been ready for this challenge’s completion for many years, hoping for vitality and job alternatives. Moreover, a memorandum of settlement between the federal government and the corporate ensures job alternatives for locals.”
Supply: The Third Pole
