Drilling of the well IDDP-1

Abstract

The first well of three proposed by the Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP) was drilled in the Krafla Geothermal Field in 2008–2009 by Landsvirkjun, the National Power Company of Iceland. The well was designed to reach supercritical conditions at 4500m, temperatures above 374°C and pressures above 22MPa. Drilling progress was as planned down to around 2000m when drilling became quite challenging, including becoming stuck at 2094 and 2095m depth, followed by twist offs and subsequent side tracking. Finally, drilling came to an end at 2096m depth in the third leg when cuttings of fresh glass indicated the presence of a magma body at the bottom. As the well had such a rigorous well design, the steering committee of the IDDP decided to complete and flow test the well, rather than abandoning it. The well was very powerful and the project has proved to be a valuable experience for drilling supercritical wells in the future and what happens when magma is encountered. Most importantly, it has been proven that it is possible to drill and complete a well in a very hot zone and produce fluid from an environment near a magma body. If sustained long term production proves possible, the drilling of well IDDP-1 will mark a new era in power production in Krafla.