Occidental Petroleum Drills Deep for Geothermal Energy in Colorado's Weld County
Occidental Petroleum has drilled twin boreholes nearly four miles deep in Weld County, Colorado, as part of the Geothermal Limitless Approach to Drilling Efficiencies (GLADE) project. Supported by a $9 million U.S. Department of Energy grant, the project aims to test new drilling techniques for superdeep geothermal wells. Completed in April 2025, the drilling work was faster than traditional methods, potentially leading to a new geothermal power plant in Colorado, as the region has significant underground heat resources.

Occidental Petroleum has initiated the GLADE project in Weld County, Colorado, drilling twin boreholes nearly four miles deep to explore geothermal energy, supported by a $9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The drilling, completed in April 2025, was conducted rapidly, suggesting advancements in drilling technology. The project aims to assess the feasibility of generating electricity from underground heat, with estimates indicating temperatures could exceed 450°F. Although no plans for a geothermal power plant have been confirmed, federal scientists estimate the project could yield 2.2 megawatts of electricity, which may lead to further geothermal development in Colorado.




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