Gradient Geothermal, a Denver-based company specializing in harnessing geothermal energy from existing oil and gas infrastructure, has announced a strategic collaboration with Chord Energy, an independent North American oil and gas exploration and production company. This innovative partnership will see Gradient Geothermal provide geothermal power generation and fluid cooling services using its proprietary technology to capture and convert otherwise wasted heat from produced fluids into electricity.
The project has received partial funding from the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority (CSEA), a grant program managed by the North Dakota Industrial Commission, which aims to support the development of geothermal energy in the state. The funding is part of North Dakota’s efforts to foster sustainable energy initiatives, including geothermal power. This partnership allows Chord Energy to leverage the thermal energy naturally present at its production site, enhancing the efficiency of its operations and converting excess heat into a valuable energy asset.
Dr. Benjamin Burke, CEO of Gradient Geothermal, expressed his enthusiasm about the project, stating, “For too long, key public and private sector stakeholders have not had access to the technology and expertise needed to harness the vast, untapped energy resources beneath our feet. Properly capturing highly sustainable geothermal energy already present at active energy production projects presents a new avenue of opportunity for government agencies and leading commercial entities alike, and we could not be more excited to work with Chord to help deploy Gradient’s innovative technology within this expansive, forward-thinking initiative.”
This collaboration marks the first commercial deployment of Gradient’s geothermal technology at a large scale and represents a significant step forward in integrating geothermal power with existing oil and gas operations. Traditionally, geothermal energy generation has relied on tapping into natural hot water reservoirs or drilling new wells specifically for geothermal purposes. However, Gradient’s innovative approach uses the heat produced from oil and gas operations, capturing energy that would otherwise be wasted.
The process involves extracting the heat from produced fluids, which are typically sent back into the ground after being used in the extraction of oil and gas. By utilizing this existing infrastructure, Gradient’s technology can efficiently remove the heat, convert it into electricity, and cool the fluids, which is a critical step in the oil production process. This not only creates a new source of renewable energy but also contributes to reducing the environmental impact of oil and gas operations.
The deployment of Gradient’s technology at Chord Energy’s North Dakota facilities aligns with the state’s broader strategy to diversify its energy portfolio and increase the use of clean, sustainable energy. North Dakota is known for its rich energy resources, primarily oil and gas, but the state has also been taking steps to tap into renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and now geothermal. The combination of geothermal energy with oil and gas infrastructure presents a unique opportunity to use existing resources to transition toward cleaner, more sustainable energy production.
The project has the potential to serve as a model for other oil and gas companies looking to integrate renewable energy into their operations. The geothermal power generated can help reduce the carbon footprint of oil and gas extraction processes, making them more environmentally friendly. Moreover, the electricity produced can be used on-site to power operations or be fed into the grid, contributing to the state’s overall renewable energy capacity.
The partnership between Gradient Geothermal and Chord Energy is part of a growing trend in the energy industry where companies are exploring new ways to reduce waste, increase efficiency, and adopt cleaner technologies. As the demand for renewable energy sources continues to rise, this innovative approach to geothermal power generation has the potential to play a key role in North Dakota’s energy future.
By capitalizing on the vast geothermal potential embedded in active oil and gas fields, the partnership between Gradient Geothermal and Chord Energy is not only advancing the development of renewable energy but also demonstrating the importance of leveraging existing infrastructure for a more sustainable future. With this groundbreaking project, both companies are taking significant steps toward a cleaner, more energy-efficient future while driving innovation in the geothermal and oil and gas sectors.
