Bandung (ANTARA) \u2013 Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) Professor Lambok\nHutasoit has explained the safety aspects of geothermal drilling in\nresponse to public concerns about the potential for earthquakes,\ngroundwater disruption and uncontrolled flows during exploration.<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, I say it is 100 per cent safe. There is no problem with\ndrilling,\u201d Lambok said while giving an explanation at the Kamojang\nGeothermal Power Plant (PLTP) in Bandung Regency, West Java, on Tuesday\n(20 October).<\/p>\n
He said the public needed to understand the drilling process and the\ngeological characteristics beneath the surface so as not to be misled by\ninaccurate information about geothermal development.<\/p>\n
One concern he addressed was the belief that drilling activity could\ndirectly trigger earthquakes.<\/p>\n
\u201cDrilling just means making a hole, doesn\u2019t it? You make a hole in\nthe rock, that\u2019s all. What does that have to do with an earthquake?\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Lambok explained that drilling involves making a hole through rock\nlayers to reach a geothermal energy source.<\/p>\n
In geothermal development, the risk of induced earthquakes can be\nlinked to changes in fluid pressure within a reservoir, including those\ncaused by injection and production activities. Reservoir management and\nseismic monitoring are therefore important parts of risk control.<\/p>\n
Lambok also responded to concerns that geothermal activity could\ndisrupt groundwater sources used by local communities.<\/p>\n
He said aquifers, or groundwater-bearing rock layers, are generally\nlocated at different depths from geothermal reservoirs.<\/p>\n
According to him, cap-rock layers with low permeability can limit\nhydrological connections between a geothermal reservoir and the aquifers\nabove it.<\/p>\n
In drilling operations, groundwater protection also requires proper\nwell construction, including the installation of casing and cementing to\nisolate the rock layers traversed by the well.<\/p>\n
Lambok added that drilling to depths of around 2,000 metres was\ncommon practice for reaching geothermal reservoirs.<\/p>\n
He said this depth was relatively shallow compared with the thickness\nof the Earth\u2019s crust.<\/p>\n
On the risk of uncontrolled flows caused by fluid pressure during\ndrilling, Lambok cited the use of pressure-control equipment as a safety\nmeasure.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery drilling operation has a blowout preventer. It is monitored\ncontinuously,\u201d Lambok explained.<\/p>\n
A blowout preventer is a safety device used to help control pressure\nand prevent the uncontrolled release of fluids from a well.<\/p>\n
Drilling safety also requires an understanding of local geological\nconditions, the application of operating procedures and monitoring\nthroughout the activity.<\/p>\n
Kamojang Geothermal Power Plant is one of the milestones in\nIndonesia\u2019s geothermal energy development. Pertamina began exploring the\narea in 1974, while the first geothermal power plant there began\ncommercial operations in 1983.<\/p>\n
According to data from PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE), the\nKamojang area currently has five power plant units with a total\ninstalled capacity of 235 megawatts (MW).<\/p>\n
The plants use geothermal steam to generate electricity and form part\nof Indonesia\u2019s renewable energy development.<\/p>\n
More than four decades of operating the Kamojang plant provide a\nbackdrop for discussions on drilling technology, reservoir management\nand environmental risk control in geothermal activities.<\/p>\n
Lambok stressed the importance of science-based explanations so the\npublic can understand geothermal development and the measures used to\ncontrol its risks.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/itb-expert-explains-earthquake-and-groundwater-risks-in-geothermal-projects-1792522241", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }