Example of Geothermal Well

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) has granted its first permit for a deep geo-pressured geothermal well to Sage Geosystems in Atascosa County.

This permit, located in the Anaconcho Formation south of San Antonio, marks a significant step in Texas's energy landscape. It is the first deep geo-pressured geothermal permit issued since the Texas Legislature shifted regulatory authority for these wells from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to the RRC.

Project Details:

• Operator: Sage Geosystems
• Location: Atascosa County, south of San Antonio
• Formation: Anaconcho Formation
• Purpose: Electricity generation for San Miguel Electric Cooperative customers.
• Facility: Three-megawatt Geopressured Geothermal System energy storage facility.

Significance:

• This permit represents the RRC's commitment to facilitating the growth of new energy technologies.
• The project will be used by San Miguel Electric Cooperative to provide electricity to its customers.
• This shows a committment to alternative energy sources within Texas.
• The RRC's regulatory framework ensures environmental and public safety standards are met.

RRC's Perspective:

• "Texas has been at the forefront of energy regulation and innovation for more than a century, and this transition has streamlined the permitting process for geothermal wells and reinforced the Commission’s leadership in emerging energy technologies,” said RRC Executive Director Wei Wang.
• The RRC is adapting its regulatory approach to support new energy technologies.

Industry Overlap:

• The geothermal industry shares substantial skill and technology overlap with the oil and gas industry.