DEEP Earth, SLB Project to Drive Canada’s Geothermal Expansion

DEEP Earth Energy Production (DEEP) is partnering with SLB to conduct the initial two phases of its geothermal project in southeast Saskatchewan, Canada, following the finished feasibility phase. The project aims to generate up to 30 MW of emissions-free baseload power using advanced horizontal drilling and production enhancement technologies.

"This collaboration with DEEP reflects our commitment to broadening the adoption of geothermal by reducing project risk and accelerating the time to first power," said Irlan Amir, Vice President of Renewables and Energy Efficiency, SLB. "The project's engineering design and integrated asset development model brings together developers, technology providers, and infrastructure partners to open new frontiers for geothermal power generation in Canada and beyond."

Project Details

DEEP's geothermal project will use strategies from traditional oil & gas field development—horizontal drills to access productive geothermal zones and enhancement technologies to optimize geothermal energy generation. SLB's expertise in geothermal technology, integrated well construction services, and regional drilling experience makes this project a first-of-its-kind application in Canada.

Geothermal energy extraction; image credit: DEEP

"We are thrilled to welcome SLB as a key partner in this project, which also includes Ormat as part of an integrated geothermal asset development model," said Kirsten Marcia, President and Chief Executive Officer for DEEP. "By joining forces, we are developing our asset in a streamlined fashion, combining subsurface and surface technologies, while maximizing efficiencies, operations, and ultimately, power output.”

Under the project, SLB will provide engineering design and integrated well construction services:

• Phase 1: Developing two production and two injection wells
• Phase 2: Developing up to 18 wells

SLB’s work will leverage the natural permeability of the sedimentary rock formation and enable the reliable, cost-efficient, and sustainable geothermal energy production.

Geothermal in Canada

Despite Canada's significant geothermal reserves, the energy remains largely under-utilized due to the economic and technical challenges associated with conventional extraction methods. DEEP’s project tackles the barriers to geothermal development in Canada, setting a new benchmark for the country’s renewable energy market. The partnership between DEEP and SLB aims to unlock geothermal energy's full potential to drive a sustainable energy future.

“With this approach, we hope to establish a blueprint for the development of additional commercial geothermal projects in Canada,” said Marcia. “This project is not only a major step forward for our company, but also should represent a meaningful contribution to Canada's goals to reduce emissions and secure local energy resources.”

Geothermal Around the World

Joseph Bonafin, Sales and Business Development Manager at Turboden, said, “As of today, there are roughly 16 GWs of geothermal plants installed worldwide. The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is the fastest-growing technology in the geothermal power generation market. ORC has doubled its share among all types of geothermal generation systems in the last five years, adding about 2 GWs of new plants. Exploiting the full range of resources—from low to high temperatures, liquid to steam, and remote locations such as high-elevation deserts or islands—and installing ORC power plants close to inhabited areas show the benefits of this trending technology.”

Geothermal generates power year-round and can replace coal- or gas-fired power stations as a baseload power with low production costs. It’s also dispatchable and supports grid stability in combination with intermittent sources. It’s also easily integrated into most locations with a small footprint and CO₂ lifecycle compared to other renewables such as solar and wind.