Published: 1981
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A long-range plan for the development of new technology that will reduce the cost of drilling and completing geothermal wells is presented. The role of this program in relation to the total Federal Geothermal Energy Program is defined and specific program goals are identified. Then, the current status of the program, initiated in FY 1978, is presented, and research and development activities planned through 1987 are described. Budget and milestone estimates for each task are provided. The management plan for implementing the program is also discussed. The goals of this program are to develop the technology required to reduce the cost of drilling and completing geothermal wells by 25% in the near term and by 50% in the long term. Efforts under this program to date have resulted in new roller bit designs that will reduce well costs by 2% to 4%, new drag bits that have demonstrated marked increases in penetration rate, and the field verification of the effectiveness of inert drilling fluids in reducing drill pipe corrosion. Activities planned for the next six years for achieving the program goals are described. Technical activities include work in the areas of drilling hardware, drilling fluids, lost circulation control methods, completion technology, advanced drilling systems, and supporting technology.