GEOTHERMAL News
Revisions to Forms for 2009
A revision has been made to the Notice of Intention to Drill a Geothermal Resources Well (Form OGG105) and to the Well Summary Report – Geothermal (Form OGG100). Effective January 1, 2009, all operators must enter the well coordinates (Lat./Long.) using NAD 83 format when submitting these forms to the Division. These forms are available from the local geothermal district office or online by clicking here.
Proposed Changes to Geothermal Regulations
The Division proposes to amend Division 2, Chapter 4, Subchapter 4, starting with Section 1900, in Title 14 of the CCR. These sections pertain to statewide geothermal regulations.
Any interested person, or his or her authorized representative, may submit written comments relevant to the proposed regulatory action to the Division.
The written comment period closes at 5:00 p.m. on June 15, 2009. All comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. at the Division office listed below. Comments received after 5:00 p.m. on June 15 may be reviewed, but the Division is not required to prepare a response.
Submit comments to:
Michael Woods
Department of Conservation
Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources
605 Wake Avenue, Suite 7
El Centro, CA 92243
E-mail: mwoods@consrv.ca.gov
Coproduction of Geothermal Power from Oil and Gas Fields in California: Hot water produced from oil and gas wells can be used to generate geothermal power under certain temperature and flow conditions. This report provides links to technical reports about produced water and reservoir temperatures from oil and gas fields in California. Links to electric logs and to information on temperature gradients in sedimentary basins within the State are also provided.
The Geothermal Hot Line
Published by the Division of Oil, Gas, & Geothermal Resources from 1971 through 1996, the Geothermal Hot Line has been scanned and is available online. To access the issues of Geothermal Hot Line, click here.
Amendment to Geothermal Laws Affecting Well Record Confidentiality
On September 26, 2007, SB 1051, which amends section 3752 of the Public Resources Code, was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. Under the newly amended section 3752, the period of confidentiality for geothermal well records commences at the cessation of drilling operations. For more information, see the Notice to Geothermal Operators issued November 5, 2007.
Geosteam Back Online
Geosteam is now back online and can be used to access non-confidential scanned well records, including logs, and view monthly production and injection information.
Scanned Well and Field Data for Geysers Unit 15 Available
Technical data from wells formerly operated by GEO Operator Corporation were recently scanned and added to the Division's existing well records. These records, compiled by GEO Operator Corporation while conducting operations at the Geysers Unit 15, can be accessed by clicking here.
GEOTHERMAL FACTS
Geothermal Section oversees the drilling, operation, maintenance, plugging, and abandonment of geothermal wells on state and private lands to ensure public safety and protect underground and surface waters.
California is the United States' largest generator of electricity from geothermal energy. In 2007, California received nearly five percent of its electrical energy from geothermal resources (about 13,000 Gigawatt-hours). The state has over 600 active, high-temperature geothermal wells (with fluids over 212° F) and 230 injection wells.
Featured links
Kids' and Educators' Pages
Games, puzzles, and information about geothermal resources in California. Meet Steamer, the engineering dog, and Electra, the electricity cat.
Geothermal District Contacts
District staff in Sacramento, El Centro, and Santa Rosa answer questions about geothermal resources. Staff members permit wells, make field inspections, and sell maps and publications.
Geothermal Field Maps
View and download the large-scale map of California’s geothermal fields and digitized field maps.