Sierra Geothermal drills 88 C at Silver Peak 2009-11-10 09:47 ET - News Release Mr. Gary Thompson reports SIERRA GEOTHERMAL ADVANCES ITS PAYMASTER DISTRICT PLAY
Sierra Geothermal Power Corp. (SGP) has provided an update on its Silver Peak and Alum projects and the exploration activities that form part of its integrated development plan for the Paymaster district geothermal area. The data from these recent, current and near term activities will be integrated with existing datasets to refine a 3-D subsurface model to assist in confirmation of targets for production well drilling.
On Nov. 8, 2009, SGP commenced drilling a production assessment-observation well at the Alum project. Well 25-29 is being drilled to a maximum depth of 1,830 metres or 6,000 feet and is targeting multiple zones of high geological interest from 800 to 1,500 metres or 2,620 to 4,920 feet deep. SGP has contracted Ensign Energy Services Inc.'s Ensign 561 rig, under the supervision of 30-year geothermal drilling veteran Jerry Hamblin of Subsurface Excellence Inc.
On Nov. 3, 2009, SGP completed a program of 10 shallow temperature gradient holes at the Silver Peak project. A total of 1,522 metres or 4,990 feet were drilled including 238 metres or 781 feet of core. The maximum temperature recorded was 88 C or 190 F at a depth of 140 metres or 459 feet. The maximum temperature gradient recorded exceeded 500 C per kilometre or 28 F per 100 feet. Water samples were also collected for geochemical analysis and to establish baseline water quality in the area.
Other recent exploration activity within the Paymaster district includes:
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An airborne hyperspectral remote-sensing survey covering approximately 300 square kilometres or 116 square miles;
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A high-resolution, ground-based magnetic survey covering over 600 line kilometres or 373 line miles;
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A 2-D seismic reflection survey covering 19 line kilometres or 12 line miles at the Silver Peak prospect.
Currently, a detailed ground-based magnetotelluric survey focused on the Alum and Silver Peak prospects and a radiometric survey covering 140 line kilometres or 87 line miles at Silver Peak are under way. Within the next week SGP intends to commence a 190-square-kilometre or 73-square-mile airborne Z-tipper electromagnetic (ZTEM) survey and additional planned near term work includes further slim well and core well drilling, a seismic survey at the Alum project, regional hydrological studies, shallow temperature probe measurements of two metres or seven feet, and an airborne hyperspectral thermal infrared remote-sensing survey.
"We are delighted to be able to aggressively pursue the integrated development plan for our Paymaster district after our exploration freeze resulting from the uncertainty created by the 2008-2009 market meltdown. This puts us back on track to become an independent producer of geothermal power by 2012. Particularly encouraging is that the recent temperature gradient drilling results show that the thermal anomaly at Silver Peak is larger and hotter than previous measurements had indicated," said Gary Thompson, president and chief executive officer. "Our exploration and development program is well funded with nearly $11-million (U.S.) raised since August, 2009, and $10-million (U.S.) in matching grants recently awarded to us by the U.S. Department of Energy."
About the Paymaster district
SGP recognized the area as a district geothermal opportunity many years ago. The projects within the district consist of three prospects: Alum, Silver Peak and Pearl, having a combined probability at the 90-per-cent level of generating over 100 megawatts of power. A 100-megawatt geothermal plant provides enough power to supply 80,000 homes.
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