Oregon: U.S. Geothermal advances Malheur drilling

U.S. Geothermal Inc., Boise, Idaho, said its construction contractor provided a notice of mechanical completion for the second of three 7.3 net Mw air cooled power plant modules at the Neal Hot Springs project in Malheur County, Ore.

Construction on the 22 net Mw project is 93% complete. The first turbine roll at the first module is set for August, and the facility is expected to achieve full commercial operation late in the third quarter of 2012. All major components are now on site and the third power plant module now slated to achieve mechanical completion during the second week of July.

Drilling for the remaining injection capacity began on June 12. Three injection wells, targeted at zones with demonstrated known permeability, are included in the drilling program. To date, 58% of the required injection capacity has been drilled.