Fervo Energy Achieves Record-Breaking Geothermal Discovery at Project Blanford, Utah, Paving the Way for Next-Generation Carbon-Free Power
Fervo Energy, a leading innovator in next-generation geothermal development, has announced a landmark achievement with the successful completion of an appraisal drilling campaign at its new greenfield geothermal site, Project Blanford, located in Millard County, Utah. The results from this vertical appraisal well confirm resource temperatures exceeding 555°F (291°C) at a depth of approximately 11,200 feet, surpassing the threshold required for commercial viability and marking the hottest well ever drilled in the company’s history. Remarkably, the drilling was completed in under 11 days, showcasing Fervo’s rapid, efficient, and technology-driven approach to geothermal development.
The Blanford drilling campaign represents a significant milestone in Fervo’s ongoing mission to expand and de-risk its industry-leading pipeline of enhanced geothermal system (EGS) projects. By identifying ultra-high temperature geothermal resources in a greenfield sedimentary basin, Fervo is not only increasing the potential scale of geothermal energy production in the western United States but also demonstrating the efficacy of AI-enabled exploration and drilling technologies in accelerating clean energy deployment.
An independent assessment, conducted using the data collected from the appraisal well, confirms the presence of a multi-gigawatt resource potential at Blanford. In addition, a diagnostic fracture injection test (DFIT) was successfully executed, validating the ability to stimulate the target reservoir formation and providing critical information for future development planning. These results confirm that Blanford is well-positioned to become a high-impact contributor to Fervo’s geothermal portfolio.
Speaking at the 51st Stanford Geothermal Workshop, Fervo Co-Founder and CTO, Dr. Jack Norbeck, highlighted the role of advanced technology in this discovery. “Fervo’s exploration strategy has always been underpinned by the seamless integration of cutting-edge data acquisition and advanced analytics,” Norbeck said. “This latest ultra-high temperature discovery highlights our team’s ability to detect and develop EGS sweet spots using AI-enhanced geophysical techniques. The Blanford site demonstrates the enormous potential of combining artificial intelligence with subsurface science to unlock new sources of clean, reliable power.”
Fervo’s success at Blanford also represents a strategic expansion of its geologic footprint. While previous projects, such as those in metamorphic and igneous formations, validated EGS development in traditionally hard-to-drill rock types like granite, Blanford targets sedimentary formations—including sandstones, claystones, and carbonates. These formations are inherently easier and more cost-effective to drill, allowing for more efficient deployment of geothermal wells and immediately expanding the global resource potential for EGS.
The temperature logs obtained at Blanford place the site above the 95th percentile for deep geothermal gradients in the Western United States, underscoring the site’s exceptional energy potential. Fervo leveraged its AI-driven subsurface analytics to identify this novel play concept and optimize the drilling plan, illustrating the transformative impact of technology on geothermal exploration and resource development.
This achievement is part of Fervo’s multi-year progression of continuous innovation in EGS technology. Previous projects, including Project Red with temperatures around 365°F and Cape Station at 400°F, now culminate in Blanford, exceeding 555°F. These advancements demonstrate Fervo’s unparalleled ability to access increasingly hotter geothermal reservoirs. By integrating longer lateral wells, larger wellbore diameters, and high-precision stimulation techniques, Fervo continues to improve EGS well output and overall power plant efficiency, enhancing the economic and environmental viability of geothermal power.
The Blanford discovery reinforces Fervo’s commitment to delivering reliable, carbon-free geothermal power at scale. By combining AI-enabled exploration, high-temperature resource development, and rapid drilling execution, Fervo is defining a new standard for geothermal innovation—helping accelerate the global transition to sustainable energy.
About Fervo Energy
Fervo Energy provides 24/7 carbon-free energy through the development of next-generation geothermal power. The company’s mission is to leverage breakthroughs in geoscience and technology to make geothermal scalable, competitive, and capable of meeting growing global energy demand. Through innovations in horizontal drilling, fiber-optic sensing, AI-driven subsurface analytics, and advanced reservoir engineering, Fervo is unlocking the full potential of geothermal energy, delivering reliable and sustainable power for the energy transition.
