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Geothermal Frontier – Beta

This is an integrated knowledge sharing platform that aggregates global datasets on institutional research capacity and country-level geothermal profiles. It is designed to support cross-sector collaboration and the advancement of next-generation geothermal technologies. The platform facilitates access to structured data, technical insights, and networked expertise to accelerate the development of higher-enthalpy resources and drive cost-competitive deployment at scale.

NORCE

Ullrigg Test Centre

Institution Type: Research Center or National Laboratory

Institution Website

Bergen, Norway

Contact

Bjarte Lønøy
Senior Researcher
[email protected]

Other profiles and links

Areas of Expertise

  • Resource Characterization & Modeling
  • Drilling & Well Design
  • Monitoring & Instrumentation
  • Reservoir Creation & Management
  • Engineering & Power Generation

Resource Characterization & Modeling

This area focuses on identifying, assessing, and modeling geothermal resources to understand their size, temperature, and viability. It supports better decision-making by improving predictions of subsurface conditions and resource potential.

  • Exploration, Appraisal, Site Selection Active
  • Geological Modeling Active
  • Geophysical Modeling Active
  • Reservoir Modeling Active
  • Coupled Process Modeling Active
  • Crustal Stress, Geomechanics/Rock Mechanics Active
  • Water/Rock Geochemistry Active
  • Seismic Risk & Mitigation Active
  • Water Resource Management Active
  • High-Performance Computing (HPC) for Coupled or Multiphysics Simulations Active
  • Environmental Risk Assessment Active
Full-scale HPHT testing and qualification of downhole tools and well completion equipment using a 1500-ton tension/compression load frame with controlled pressure and temperature.
Max Temperature (°C) 200 Temperature control from −20 °C to 200 °C. Special-purpose test cells can also be designed, manufactured and integrated with the facility infrastructure for heating and pressurising downhole tools and equipment.
Max Pressure (MPa) 137.9 Pressure capability up to 1,379 bar (20,000 psi), including testing under combined mechanical tension/compression loads.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
Full-scale horizontal test cell for downhole tools under controlled pressure, temperature and fluid-flow conditions
Temperature Note Trace heating enables controlled temperature testing along the test cell. Specific temperature limits depend on test configuration.
Pressure Note Pressure-controlled testing with integrated data acquisition and fluid-flow capabilities. Specific pressure limits depend on test configuration.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
Full-scale drilling and well technology testing in dedicated test wells
Temperature Note Testing is performed under native well temperature conditions. Temperature is not independently controlled, and conditions depend on well depth and test configuration.
Pressure Note Well and downhole equipment can be tested under realistic full-scale well conditions. Pressure conditions depend on the specific well and test configuration rather than a single defined facility pressure limit.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No

Drilling & Well Design

This area covers technologies and expertise needed to safely and efficiently access geothermal resources at depth. It includes innovations in drilling methods, materials, and well design and construction to reduce costs and effectively reach higher-enthalpy systems in more geologic regions.

  • Conventional Rotary Drilling Active
  • Energy Drilling Active
  • Hybrid Systems Active
  • Well Completion (Cements, Liners, Flow Control) Active
  • Casing Materials (Thermal Stresses, Corrosion, Abrasion) Active
  • Advanced Materials for Drilling & Well Integrity Active
Full-scale drilling, well construction and completion technology testing in eight dedicated test wells
Temperature Note Testing is performed under native well temperature conditions; temperature is not independently controlled in the test wells. Separate HPHT facilities are available for controlled-temperature component testing.
Max Pressure (MPa) 30 Test well U2 can be pressurized up to 300 bar (30 MPa). Other wells provide different full-scale configurations for drilling, logging, P&A and well technology testing.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Full-scale drilling technology testing
Temperature Note Testing is performed under native subsurface conditions. Temperature depends on well depth and geological conditions and is not independently controlled.
Pressure Note Full-scale drilling technology testing can be conducted in dedicated test wells. Test well U2 can be pressurized up to approximately 30 MPa depending on the test configuration.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Well construction and completion testing
Temperature Note Testing is performed under native subsurface conditions. Temperature depends on well depth and geological conditions and is not independently controlled.
Max Pressure (MPa) 30 Full-scale testing of well completion systems, liners, packers and flow-control equipment can be conducted in dedicated test wells. Test well U2 can be pressurized up to approximately 30 MPa depending on the test configuration.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Well integrity verification
Temperature Note Well integrity testing is performed under native subsurface conditions. Temperature is determined by the geological formation and well depth and is not independently controlled.
Max Pressure (MPa) 30 The facility enables full-scale verification of well integrity, including casing, cement and barrier testing. Test well U2 can be pressurized up to approximately 30 MPa depending on the test configuration.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Cementing and zonal isolation testing
Temperature Note Testing is performed under native subsurface conditions. Temperature depends on well depth and geological conditions and is not independently controlled.
Max Pressure (MPa) 30 Full-scale testing and verification of cementing solutions and zonal isolation performance can be conducted in dedicated test wells. Test well U2 can be pressurized up to approximately 30 MPa depending on the test configuration.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Casing and tubular qualification
Temperature Note Testing is performed under native subsurface conditions. Temperature depends on well depth and geological conditions and is not independently controlled.
Max Pressure (MPa) 30 Full-scale qualification and testing of casing materials, tubulars and connections can be performed in dedicated test wells. Test well U2 can be pressurized up to approximately 30 MPa depending on the test configuration.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Plug and abandonment (P&A) technology testing
Temperature Note Testing is performed under native subsurface conditions. Temperature depends on well depth and geological conditions and is not independently controlled.
Max Pressure (MPa) 30 Full-scale testing and qualification of plug and abandonment technologies can be conducted in dedicated test wells. Test well U2 can be pressurized up to approximately 30 MPa depending on the test configuration.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Downhole monitoring and instrumentation
Temperature Note Downhole monitoring is performed under native subsurface conditions. Temperature depends on well depth and geological conditions and is not independently controlled.
Max Pressure (MPa) 30 The facility supports deployment and testing of downhole sensors, monitoring systems and instrumentation in full-scale wells. Test well U2 can be pressurized up to approximately 30 MPa depending on the test configuration.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Injection and pressure testing in full-scale wells
Temperature Note Testing is performed under native subsurface conditions. Temperature depends on well depth and geological conditions and is not independently controlled.
Max Pressure (MPa) 30 The facility enables full-scale injection, pressure build-up and pressure fall-off testing in dedicated test wells. Test well U2 can be pressurized up to approximately 30 MPa depending on the test configuration.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No

Monitoring & Instrumentation

This area enables real-time measurement and analysis of geothermal systems through advanced sensors and data tools. It supports performance optimization, risk reduction, and improved understanding of subsurface behavior over time.

  • Downhole Sensors Active
  • Electrical Components for Geothermal Wells Planned
  • Fiber Optic Sensing Systems (DTS, DAS, DSS) Active
  • Real-Time Telemetry & Data Acquisition Systems Active
  • Acoustic Emission Monitoring Planned
  • High-Temperature Electronics for Sensors & Data Systems Planned
  • Borehole Imaging Technologies Active
  • Environmental Monitoring Active
  • Permanent Surface Passive Seismic Array Planned
Downhole monitoring and instrumentation
Temperature Note Monitoring systems are deployed under native subsurface conditions. Temperature depends on well depth and geological conditions and is not independently controlled.
Max Pressure (MPa) 30 Downhole monitoring systems can be deployed and tested in dedicated test wells. Test well U2 can be pressurized up to approximately 30 MPa depending on the test configuration.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No

Reservoir Creation & Management

This area focuses on developing and sustaining productive geothermal systems, including enhanced and closed-loop systems. It involves techniques to develop the geothermal reservoir, manage the system, and optimize fluid flow and heat extraction over the project’s life.

  • Closed-Loop Systems Planned
  • EGS (Hydraulic Stimulation, Zonal Isolation, High-Temp Proppants) Planned
  • Thermal Stimulation or Heat Management Planned
Full-scale geothermal injection and reservoir stimulation testing
Temperature Note Testing is performed under native subsurface conditions. Temperature depends on geological formation, well design and operating conditions and is not independently controlled.
Max Pressure (MPa) 30 Dedicated test wells can be used for injection, reservoir stimulation and well integrity testing. Test well U2 can be pressurized up to approximately 30 MPa depending on the test configuration.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No

Engineering & Power Generation

This area addresses the conversion of geothermal heat into usable energy through plant design and system integration. It includes advancements in power cycles, efficiency improvements, and technologies for reliable, cost-competitive electricity generation.

  • Surface Engineering (Piping, Turbines, Power Plant Components) Active
  • Power Production (Grid Connection/Integration) Planned
  • Heat Exchange & Thermal Management Technologies Planned
  • Opportunities for Co-Production Planned
  • Integration with Hydrogen or Thermal Energy Storage Systems Planned
  • Alternative Working Fluids Planned
Surface fluid handling, pumping and well test systems
Temperature Note Surface testing is conducted under field operating conditions. Temperature limits depend on the specific equipment and test configuration and are not defined by a dedicated thermal testing facility.
Max Pressure (MPa) 30 Surface pumping, fluid handling and well test systems support field-scale testing in dedicated test wells. Test well U2 can be pressurized up to approximately 30 MPa depending on the test configuration.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No

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