Unlocking India’s Geothermal Potential: Experts Advocate for Exploration and Investment at MIT-WPU Conference

Despite the existence of 300 hot springs with an estimated energy potential of 10 GW, India has yet to initiate commercial production of geothermal energy. Experts emphasized the importance of harnessing this renewable energy source to meet the country’s increasing energy demands in an environmentally friendly manner during a recent conference organized by the Student Chapter of the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) at MIT World Peace University.

Prof. Rajib Kumar Sinharay, Program Director of the Department of Petroleum Engineering at MIT-WPU, stated, “Geothermal resources are widely available in India, particularly in the Himalayas, the Son-Narmada-Tapti basin, Maharashtra, and the Andaman-Nicobar Islands. Many sedimentary basins also exhibit a high geothermal gradient in drilled oil wells. If systematically explored and developed, geothermal energy could provide a significant power supply across major regions of India.”

He also noted that several companies, both private and public, are actively pursuing geothermal energy projects in the country. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is currently drilling for a 1 MW geothermal energy project in the Puga Valley of Jammu & Kashmir. “Geothermal energy will play a crucial role in shaping India’s energy landscape in the future,” Sinharay added.

The conference gathered global experts, including Lars Nydahl Jørgensen, Regional Director (Europe) of the IADC, and Om Prakash Singh, Director of Technology & Field Services at ONGC, who addressed students on the challenges facing the petroleum industry in India. Singh urged students from various disciplines to collaborate and address pressing industry issues, highlighting the importance of innovation in the era of technology and digitalization. “Your research in technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) can significantly contribute to the future of petroleum. Together, we can create a meaningful impact,” he stated.

Discussions during the event revolved around critical topics such as government policies for leasing geothermal blocks, profit-sharing mechanisms, investment strategies by major energy companies, and collaborations aimed at developing turnkey solutions for geothermal energy. Key technologies discussed included geothermal exploration, reservoir modeling, drilling, production methods, and the role of subsidies in making geothermal projects financially viable.

The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), founded in 1940, is a global organization representing drilling contractors. IADC Student Chapters offer students valuable opportunities to connect with industry experts and engage with the broader energy community.