Slim hole drilling completed at Nage geothermal prospect in Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia (source: flickr/ Gabriel ^(oo)^, creative commons)

A slim hole has been drilled to explore the potential geothermal resource at Nage, Jerebuu District, Ngada Regency at East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Indonesia. The results of slim hole drilling as well as the technical evaluation can then be offered to interested geothermal developers or business entities.

This was announced during a meeting between the Head of the Center of Mineral, Coal, and Geothermal Resources at the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Hermansyah Hariyanto with the Deputy Regent of Ngada, Chair of the Ngada DPRD, the Regional Secretary of Ngada, and a number of officials from the Ministry of Human Resources.

The results indicate a measured temperature of 287 degrees Celsius, hotter than the previously forecasted temperature of 210 degrees Celsius. The slim hole drilling also educated the local community that such activity can be done safely when carried out according to standards procedure.

When asked to comment, Deputy Regent of Ngada Raymundus Bena said that the local government is responsible for ensuring that the comfort and peace of the community is maintained during any drilling activity. From the results of the slim hole drilling, he is optimistic that there will be a follow-up.

The Chairman  of the Ngada DPRD Bernardus Dhey Ngebu asked for four important things to be done in the drilling process – (1) that the project reaches an advanced stage, (2) that the central government prioritizes the construction of road infrastructure to the project location, (3) that there will be education at every stage of the project, and (4) that the local community gets to participate in the recruitment of workers.

Source: Florespos.Net