When it comes to developing successful geothermal energy projects, what happens below the surface can make or break your investment. From accurately modeling heat flow to navigating complex regulatory frameworks, subsurface design is where expertise matters most. That’s where geothermal energy consultants come in.
At IPT Well Solutions, we’ve seen firsthand how early and expert involvement in subsurface planning can streamline timelines, reduce risk, and save costs. Here are the top five challenges our geothermal consultants help solve:
1. Uncertain Resource Viability
Not every site is a good candidate for geothermal development and misjudging resource potential can lead to costly delays or dead-end drilling.
How we help: Our team conducts in-depth feasibility studies, thermal gradient analysis, and reservoir modeling to confirm the viability of your resource before you commit major capital.
2. Complex Well Design for High-Temperature Environments
Designing wells for geothermal production is far from straightforward. Elevated temperatures, corrosive fluids, and extreme pressure differentials require specialized planning and materials.
How we help: We engineer injection and production wells built to handle thermal stress, fluid chemistry, and long-term performance, while prioritizing safety and cost-efficiency.
3. Regulatory Compliance and Class V Permitting
Navigating the permitting process, especially for Class V wells under EPA’s Underground Injection Control (UIC) program can be time-consuming and complicated.
How we help: Our consultants are well-versed in geothermal permitting at the federal and state level. We manage the full compliance process, from environmental assessments to data aggregation and submission.
4. Subsurface Risk and Uncertainty
Unexpected faults, variable permeability, and incomplete data sets are common risks in geothermal development. Without mitigation strategies, they can derail a project.
How we help: We use advanced geologic modeling and risk-based decision frameworks to anticipate and address subsurface uncertainty, helping you move forward with confidence.
5. Bridging the Gap Between Drilling and Completions
Geothermal success doesn’t end with a drilled well, it requires precise completions to enable efficient, long-term energy extraction.
How we help: IPT brings extensive completions expertise from oil and gas to the geothermal space, ensuring seamless integration of drilling, casing, stimulation (if needed), and monitoring systems.
Need a Trusted Geothermal Energy Consultant?
Whether you’re developing a district heating system or a utility-scale geothermal power plant, IPT Well Solutions brings decades of subsurface expertise to your team. From feasibility to final flow testing, our consultants are here to help you build smarter, safer, and more sustainable energy projects.
Contact us today to learn how our geothermal energy consultants can support your next project.
Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station in Iceland, Photo Credit: Gretar Ívarsson