Energy Minister Rayburn Blackmoore confirmed on Wednesday that drilling has been completed on two test wells at Laudat, as Dominica moves closer to realizing its geothermal potential.
Blackmore was addressing the media on the status of the geothermal project.
Government signed a contract to the tune of $17-million last year for the exploration of geothermal energy in the Roseau Valley.
“The first well which was done on site two in Laudat commenced on the 16th of November 2011 and of course the completion of that well was in January 2012,” Minister Blackmoore said.
He says the ongoing work will help determine the size and quality of the geothermal resource thought to exist in the Roseau Valley.
Blackmore added that the requisite test is being done “to give us a sense as to whether energy can be produced from that well if it were to be converted to a production well”.
He said the flow and temperature test carried out so far on the first completed well located on Well Site No. 2, show very promising results.
According to the Minister the fact that the well flowed freely and steadily without any stimulation was a strong sign of good flow and the temperature reading of 240 degrees Celsius at a depth of 1337 metres within the well was an excellent indicator of the viability of the resource for productive use since the minimum temperature for geothermal exploitation is 180 degrees Celsius.
“The quality of the flow from the wells where the exploration work is taking place would give an idea as to whether the indicators are good or if there are any prospects for production of energy” Blackmore stated.
Blackmore said that with drilling of two test wells completed, “the site for the third well is being prepared, this site is between Wotton Waven and Trafalgar”.
All Dominicans should be concerned if nepotism is at issue – we should demand to know how it comes about that friends and relatives of Ministers (or others in positions of power) are obtaining positions on this important project to the exclusion of those whose qualifications objectively better suite them to be involved.
Nepotism is one of the characteristics of nations that are on a path to failure and it should be avoided (or eradicated) like the plague.
Please, do not let this issue drop.
There is a lots of comments and questions about this project, but no answers ! Anybody can give us more informations ? No comments since the 15th of March !!! Whats happening ?
Was the first well useless?
THATB IS PROOF OF A WOPRKING AND FOCUSED GOVERNMENT,,,,JUST NEED TO FOCUS ON JOB-creation and continue to look at rational exploitation of our natural resources,,
I have issue, when govt just think that the countries natural resources as theirs to explore as they feel. There are several violation of the code of ethics in this geo thermal saga. A minister’s son is in charge of the project while other ministers are stake holders in this. One day this island will cave in with all the crooks with in there.
Can you give me more infos concercing the violations of code of ethic ? Names and details about the stake holders ? what they are doing ?
I’m very concerned by the project,having some land very close, I’m worried about the water polution….
It would be good if we could lesson our dependence on petroleum. I think it is a good move. My biggest concern is that based on my observation of the percentage of renewable energy (currently hydro energy)in Dominica compared to other countries around the world, our electric rate is relatively very high. Based on this observation, I am afraid that even with the geothermal energy that our cost of electricity will still be exorbitant. The start-up cost for geothermal energy is very high (see the cost of the exploration ? 17-million). I am hoping that the government will put some legislation in place so that Dominicans can see a significant lowering of their electricity rate if this becomes a successful endeavor. Hope his stays as government control- if it ends up in the private sector, Dominicans will unlikely see lowering of their bills.
Wonderful News! Eco friendly Dominica.
Well, let`s wait for completion of this inportant project to ask questions. It`s premature at this time
Are you for real. You want top ask question after the project is over. Then it would be too late to anything. the best time to ask questions in any venture is at the preliminary state, therefore corrections or modifications can be made easier and cheaper.
It is like trying to mould concrete after it has set. If the geothermal is for the people, that makes them a stakeholder, as such they are entitle to make comments and have an imput.
Give it to us MP!
i would like to know about job creation n this project
I have absolutely no hopes where this is concerned. Money just went down the abyss as usual ………
I fear you are absolutely right.
how about you throw your mind in there as well since it seems to be of no use to you.
Would you have had hopes if it was Gabu and Washway doing it? Or if it was the UWP in power??
You ppl are really sick and to have the nerve to call yourself PATRIOTS!!!!!!
SFU
less you realise our rivers are drying and i repeat drying…..you would know what is a waste….the world is changing my dear and so is climate….smh…think big think future….i wonder if you are in dca….maybe you just dont care …..
I don’t mean to be a pessimist but if after drilling two wells they still do not know if the wells are producing enough steam, my sense is that the wells are no good. I pray that I’m wrong.
stop being pessimistic “??”. you have to try out things in other to know the outcome. if you dont take risk then you gonna be askin “what if”… end of story….
well bishop. you have to give them time. the wells are finished in drilling but the tests have yet to be conducted. its going to take some time. up to 3 months i understand
I am expecting to hear the test results were either positive or negative. a big headline to say nothing we have heard that before! what is the potential?
Where as I am also looking forward to hearing the results of the tests, it is also good that we are being given reports on the development on the project… which indicates that there is work in progress. I believe that allowing the testers the time to report accurately is important.
What is the point?.. we all know that there is exploration going on..and we are aware of the procedure..whats new..Talk too much after you have the results you will have someting to say.
He did say that the signs are positive, did you read that part? “According to the Minister the fact that the well flowed freely and steadily without any stimulation was a strong sign of good flow and the temperature reading of 240 degrees Celsius at a depth of 1337 metres within the well was an excellent indicator of the viability of the resource for productive use since the minimum temperature for geothermal exploitation is 180 degrees Celsius”.
Rome wasn’t built in a day but it was built have patience boss man bishop, have patience!!!