When IPT Well Solutions’ Neel L. Duncan, P.E. took the stage at the IADC “Enabling New Energy” Tech Forum, he laid out a compelling vision: repurposing proven oil-and-gas well construction techniques to unlock next-generation geothermal heating and cooling.
His white paper, “The Case for Cased-Hole Geothermal: A Solution for Safe and Efficient Ground-Source Heat Pump Systems,” makes the argument that we don’t need to reinvent the wheel—we simply need to re-engineer it for clean-energy service.
Why Cased-Hole Geothermal?
Well integrity you can trust. By cementing steel casing the entire length of the borehole, designers virtually eliminate the fluid-migration risks that plague conventional open-hole ground loops.
Precise thermal contact. Full-length casing means the heat-exchange tubing and grout are in intimate, uniform contact with the formation from surface to TD, boosting heat-pump efficiency.
Regulatory peace of mind. Cased wells borrow from decades of oil-field best practices—pressure-testing, cement-bond logging, and zonal isolation—to satisfy even the strictest environmental regulators.
How It Lowers Lifetime Cost
Fewer boreholes, more BTUs. Higher per-hole output means smaller wellfields and reduced surface impact.
Standardized drilling. Service rigs, bits, and casing strings are off-the-shelf, keeping day rates predictable.
Scalable retrofit potential. Idle hydrocarbon wells can be recompleted as geothermal producers, slashing CAPEX.
Safety & Sustainability Benefits
Zero aquifer cross-flow. Permanent cement barriers protect potable water zones.
Long-term monitoring. Fiber-optic or distributed-temperature sensing (DTS) cables can be strapped to the casing for real-time performance data.
Carbon-free HVAC. When paired with electric heat pumps, buildings gain reliable heating and cooling with a near-zero operational carbon footprint.
IPT Well Solutions: Your Partner from Concept to Commissioning
Our team has drilled, logged, and completed thousands of cased wells worldwide. We bring that same rigor—engineering design reviews, drilling program development, HSE planning, and turnkey execution—to every geothermal project.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
The blog barely scratches the surface of Duncan’s technical roadmap—everything from optimal casing weights to cement‐slurry thermal conductivities is covered in the full white paper.