GEORG Geothermal Workshop 2016 Presentation title: Drilling progress of the RN-15 at Reykjanes (DEEPEGS/IDDP2).

1. GGW 2016 góf
Guðmundur Ó. Friðleifsson, Ari Stefánsson, Ómar Sigurðsson, Þór Gíslason.
HS Orka, Brekkustígur 36, 260 Reykjanesbær, Iceland.
HS Orka Chief Geologist , gof@hsorka.is
IDDP-PI and coordinator and DEEPEGS coordinator,
Drilling progress of RN-15/IDDP-2 at Reykjanes

2. GGW 2016 góf
Drilling progress of RN-15/IDDP-2
• Short Overview of the IDDP program
2000 - 2015
2015 – 2020
Highlights:
• RN-17 at Reykjanes – well of opportunity in 2005
• IDDP-1 in Krafla in NE-Iceland - drilled 2009 into >900°C
hot magma, => the world’s hottest production well (>450°C).
• Drilling of IDDP-2 at Reykjanes in SW-Iceland in 2016
• IDDP-3 well in the Hengill Central Volcano - before 2020 ?
• www.iddp.is – www.deepegs.eu

3. GGW 2016 góf
• RN-15
– 2500 m deep
– ø12-1/4" production section
– Without liner
• Deepen to 4000 - 5000 m
RN-15, Well of Opportunity
(From Mannvit - Everything blue is new)
Drilling progress of RN-15/IDDP-2

4. GGW 2016 góf
The IDDP Consortium
Running the project and the chief funding partners of IDDP well from 3.5-5 km depth
(National Energy Authority) 2007-2013
- New Energy ASA 2007-2011
- Petroleum 2015-2020
2008
Principal Science Investigators:
Guðmundur Ómar Friðleifsson, HS Orka
Wilfred A. Elders, University of California
Since 2005Since 2001
Funding for science coring
The DEEPEGS project has received funding from the European Union’s
Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant
agreement No 690771
2015-2020

5. GGW 2016 gófLaunching IDDP-2

6. GGW 2016 góf
Reykjanes
• Preparation for drilling
 Final design  selection of materials/methods
 purchasing materials  receive on site
 Cabled thermocouples added on the outside of
the casing – Temperature tolerance up to 600°C
 Decision made to use IMAGE funded fibre optic
cable to 900 m outside casing – GFZ personnel
funded by GEOWELL
• Drill rig on site in late July
 Drilling operation formally began 11.08.2016
 3 km casing depth reached 23.08.2016
 Cementing of casing completed 06.09.2016
 Cement being drilled out today - 09.09.2016
 Public meeting before drilling held at
Reykjanesbær on 4th August, 2016
4 km depth reached 17.11.2016
• Monitoring
 Accelerometer set up in the nearest village (Grindavík)
some 12 km from drill site.
 Seismic network expanded by ISOR close to the drill
site, and network expanded by 3 seismometers and MT
monitoring station from KIT
 Gas monitoring equipment during drilling supplied by
ICDP and set up – we fund transporting of the tools
 Conductivity and pH monitoring during drilling added

7. GGW 2016 góf
Coring tools – coring funded by ICDP and NSF

8. GGW 2016 góf
Coring tools

9. GGW 2016 góf
Monitoring tools

10. GGW 2016 góf
Monitoring tools

11. GGW 2016 góf
Monitoring tools

12. GGW 2016 góf
Monitoring tools

13. GGW 2016 góf
Monitoring tools

14. GGW 2016 góf
Phase I – Deepening of RN-15/IDDP-2 from 2500 m to 3500 m
Drilling 12 ¼” conventional rotary from 2500 m to 2750 m, 12 ¼” directional drilling from 2750 m to 3000 m. Azimuth
210°, build inclination smoothly to 16°. Total loss of circulation for the whole section. Run in hole with 9 5/8” casing
together with fiber-optic cable and thermocouple cables for downhole monitoring, to 2940 m. Casing cemented (reverse
cementing). 8 ½” directional drilling. From 3000 m to 3200 m we dealt with drilling problems due to total loss of
circulation. We tried to cure by repeated cement plugs but without intended success. Decided to continue conventional
8 ½” drilling in total loss of circulation. Phase I completed at 3500 m, about 3 weeks behind schedule.
Phase II – Drilling of RN-15/IDDP 2 to 5000 m
Drilling 8 ½” conventional rotary drilling to 4000 m was completed yesterday. Total loss of circulation, some drilling
problems and slow rate of penetration, but overall able to secure reasonable hole cleaning and keep other drilling
parameters inside limits. Azimuth 220°. Inclination close to 30°. At the same time we are preparing to run in hole 7”
casing and cement if needed, and continue drilling with 6” bit. Phase II funded by the IDDP consortium: HS Orka, Statoil,
Landsvirkjun, Reykjavik Energy and Orkustofnun. If needed we can use the 3 ½” string funded by DEEPEGS for stimulation
to complete the hole to 5 km depth with 6” bit.
Science Coring
Seven 8 ½” core runs already performed. First two runs without retrieving any core. Decided to modify core bit
design. 3rd core run, managed to retrieve 65 cm of core (core barrel 9 m). No core in run #4. Core barrel cut by
½ and reamers stripped off, and only one stabilizer kept in BHA. Core run #5 vas very successful, 3.85m of
core + fill. Core run #6 also successful but only 15 cm core plus fill. Last core run 13 cm + fill.
Short Overview

15. GGW 2016 góf
IDDP-2 náði 4000 m dýpi 17. nóvember 2016

16. GGW 2016 góf
400°C isotherm
600°C isotherm
Quartz seal
500°C isotherm
Well section
What is to be expected at 5 km ?
(From Ketil Hokstad, Statoil)

17. GGW 2016 góf
Well and track location

18. GGW 2016 góf
IDDP-2
34 wells drilled – HS Orka began at RN-10
16
10
29
12
24 21
13
1411
Well track location

19. GGW 2016 góf
Depth - Time curve for the drilling progress

20. GGW 2016 góf
What are we drilling into?

21. GGW 2016 góf
5. Attempt for coring at 3865 m depth
Dolerite sill

22. GGW 2016 góf
Analogue to earliest hydrothermal vein system in the Geitafell gabbro

23. GGW 2016 góf
Preliminary study of the dolerite core
from 3865 m depth at Reykjanes suggests
an analogy to the earliest hydrothermal vein
system in the Miocene Geitafell gabbro –
which was emplaced at some 350-700°C.
Temperature estimates are premature for
the amphibole veins in the Reykjanes core.
It is important to acknowledge that the drill
cores we are getting with great difficulty
and at high costs may become the only rock
samples that we get to study the root zone of
the black smoker analogue at Reykjanes.
Thanks to ICDP and NSF for supporting the core drilling.

24. GGW 2016 góf
Recorded earthquakes 12.8.2016 – 14.11.2016 – since the beginning of IDDP-2 drilling
(Data compiled by Egill Á. Guðnason, ÍSOR)
Conclusions on earthquakes since IDDP-2 drilling began

25. GGW 2016 góf
Earthquake distribution since RN-15/IDDP-2 began
(Data compiled by Egill Á. Guðnason, ÍSOR)

26. GGW 2016 góf
(Data compiled by Egill Á. Guðnason, ÍSOR)
Conclusions on earthquakes since IDDP-2 drilling began

27. GGW 2016 góf
Depth distribution of earthquakes | 2013 - 2015
 A seismic gap appears below 3 km depth, beneath the core of the production field.
 This is roughly the same area that is rich in micro-seismic events in the uppermost 2 km, i.e. at reservoir depth
where the main production takes place.
 It is also noteworthy that the seismic gap is less between 5 and 6 km compared to the depth range from 3 to 5 km.
 Principally, there are three possible explanations for the seismic gap;
 a) it is just a coincidence that micro-seismicity has not been observed below 3 km depth during the recording period
of 2013 to 2015 – highly unlikely – no evidence of seismic activity within this presently aseismic body in the past
 b) the lowering of the pressure in the production field has reduced the pore pressure at depth resulting in increased
rock strength – possible explanation – production from the Reykjanes field is reflected by considerable subsidence
 c) the temperature is high enough within this aseismic body to prevent stress accumulation to result in faulting, i.e.
the brittle-ductile boundary is at close to 3 km depth below the production field – possible explanation

28. GGW 2016 góf
IDDP-2
Lack of geological knowledge on the 3-5 km section being drilled
„Mickey Mouse“ Diagram
I was waiting a new tomography
model from IMAGE – for Vp/Vs
in the 3-5 km section under
Reykjanes
NOW we have a few core
samples to put into cartoon
of this sort – and hopefully
we manage to get a few
more cores
We have been drilling
blind since 2.5 km,
only getting cuttings
of sheeted dykes from
between 3.0-3.2 km
depth – so input to
this cartoon is limited
Downhole geophysical logs
would help a lot - if we
get them – which is - as yet
- not clear because of high
temperatures and problems
in getting the tool down the
hole
Exciting time for IDDP-2
drilling and coring – will
we end in ductile rocks?

29. GGW 2016 góf
Where and when do we land IDDP-2
ThankS for your attension
Injection test, flow tests and
Pilot plant testing untill 2020

30. GGW 2016 góf
For more information please contact us via
The DEEPEGS project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon
2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 690771
www.deepegs.eu www.facebook.com/deepegs/ twitter.com/DEEPEGS_demo
www.iddp.is