Skip to main content

Geothermal Frontier – Beta

This is an integrated knowledge and data 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.

University of Oklahoma

Well Construction Technology Center WCTC

Institution Type: Academia

Institution Website

Norman, USA

Contact

Catalin Teodoriu
Professor
cteodoriu@ou.edu

Areas of Expertise

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

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 Planned
  • Geological Modeling Planned
  • Geophysical Modeling Planned
  • Reservoir Modeling Active
  • Coupled Process Modeling Active
  • Crustal Stress, Geomechanics/Rock Mechanics Active
  • Water/Rock Geochemistry Planned
  • Seismic Risk & Mitigation Planned
  • Water Resource Management Planned
  • High-Performance Computing (HPC) for Coupled or Multiphysics Simulations Planned
  • Environmental Risk Assessment Active
High-temperature isolation tool testing for full size equipment
Max Temperature (°C) 500 Between 350°C and 500°C
Max Pressure (MPa) 75
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
High-temperature rock fracturing testing
Max Temperature (°C) 350
Max Pressure (MPa) 100
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
High-temperature fluid rheology
Max Temperature (°C) 250
Max Pressure (MPa) 10
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes

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 Planned
  • Hybrid Systems Planned
  • Well Completion (Cements, Liners, Flow Control) Active
  • Casing Materials (Thermal Stresses, Corrosion, Abrasion) Active
  • Advanced Materials for Drilling & Well Integrity Active
High-pressure and high-temperature geothermal well testing setup for downhole tool qualification, including packer testing under differential pressure, thermal cycling, and long-duration tests (≥6 weeks)
Max Temperature (°C) 400
Max Pressure (MPa) 70
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
Testing facilities for mechanical and thermal property evaluation of geothermal well cements (integrity, zonal isolation, long-term durability, thermal conductivity, and heat capacity)
Max Temperature (°C) 500
Max Pressure (MPa) 48
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
Testing casing materials under geothermal conditions for corrosion and long term resistance including CO2, H2S, supercritical water, etc
Max Temperature (°C) 350
Max Pressure (MPa) 70
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
Risk assessment of geothermal wells using an in house developed methodology and software package
Max Temperature (°C) 350
Max Pressure (MPa) 70
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
15-meter vibration experimental setup for torsional drilling behavior studies in scaled drill-strings, and numerical simulation of torsional dynamics and stick-slip using WellScan and Ansya
Max Temperature (°C) 350
Max Pressure (MPa) 70
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Drilling and well control training simulators (DrillSIM 50, IADC/IWCF certified) for geothermal technical and behavioral assessment.
Max Temperature (°C) 500 Software simulated temperature
Max Pressure (MPa) 275 Software simulated pressure
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
Geothermal cement repository with long-term cured samples (>10 years) for evaluation of thermal degradation, mechanical integrity, and durability under high-temperature conditions.
Max Temperature (°C) 500
Max Pressure (MPa) 48
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes

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) Planned
  • Real-Time Telemetry & Data Acquisition Systems Planned
  • Acoustic Emission Monitoring Planned
  • High-Temperature Electronics for Sensors & Data Systems Planned
  • Borehole Imaging Technologies Planned
  • Environmental Monitoring Active
  • Permanent Surface Passive Seismic Array Planned
Testing downhole sensors under geothermal realistic conditions
Max Temperature (°C) 350
Max Pressure (MPa) 70
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
Real-time multi-sensor array monitoring system (accelerometers, temperature sensors, gyroscopes, GPS) for geothermal well integrity, fluid movement, and thermal dynamics.
Temperature Note According to the requirements
Pressure Note According to the requirements
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes

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 Active
  • EGS (Hydraulic Stimulation, Zonal Isolation, High-Temp Proppants) Planned
  • Thermal Stimulation or Heat Management Planned
Development of the artificial geyser concept (Patented) using numerical and experimental investigations
Max Temperature (°C) 350
Max Pressure (MPa) 70
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes

No projects have been submitted

Please share your organization’s geothermal projects to inform and engage the broader geothermal community.

Submitting your projects will help raise awareness of your work, foster collaboration, and advance the field of geothermal energy.

You may submit multiple projects using the form below. All submissions will be published following administrative review.

Submit a project