Utah FORGE Site Operations

FORGE stands for Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy and the multi-year project sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy is focused on improving technologies that will accelerate renewable energy production from hot crystalline rock at 2-6 miles (3-10 km) depth below the surface. This type of resource is called an Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS), and the Milford site in Utah was selected in 2018 through a competitive process based on favorable geological attributes and minimal risk of environmental or cultural impact. The onsite activities are directed at testing methods that reduce drilling costs, stimulate pre-existing fractures, promote heat-exchange and sustain long term power production.

The Utah FORGE underground field is made up of deep wells drilled into hot granite, where experiments are being undertaken to establish an EGS reservoir for geothermal power production. The first deep deviated well 16a(78)-32 was completed at the end of 2020 and the second deep deviated well 16b(78)-32 is scheduled for drilling in 2022. A network of additional vertical wells are being used mainly for seismic and environmental monitoring.