Western GeoPower Corp.: First Two Geysers Wells Demonstrate 12.6 MW Initial Capacity
Tuesday September 2, 4:19 pm ET
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 2, 2008) - Western GeoPower Corp., (TSX VENTURE:WGP - News; FRANKFURT:WE6 - News) a renewable energy development company, today announced that testing of well WGP-2 at the Company's Unit 1 project at The Geysers Geothermal Field in California has confirmed that the well is a producer, with an initial capacity of 2.6 MW (gross). Together with the flow rate of approximately 161,000 lb/hr (73,028 kg/hr) demonstrated by well WGP-1 as announced May 6, 2008, the first two wells together have an initial capacity of 203,500 lb/hr (92,306 kg/hr) of steam, representing 12.6 MW (gross). The wells will supply steam to the 35 MWe Western GeoPower Unit 1 plant, projected to start commercial operations in early 2010.
Well WGP-2 was directionally drilled to the north-north-east of the pad to a total depth of 9,935 feet (3,028 m). A rig test carried out by independent consultants GeothermEx, Inc. demonstrated an initial, unstabilized steam flow rate of about 42,500 lb/hr (19,300 kg/hr) at the design flowing wellhead pressure of approximately 80 psia. The rig has been moved to the Filley leasehold and has commenced drilling well WGP-3 which has been designed to intersect known productive zones to the north of the pad. Completion of WGP-3 is projected for November.
"We are pleased to report that the combined productivity of the initial two wells exceeds our earlier expectations," said Kenneth MacLeod, President and Chief Executive Officer of Western GeoPower. "Current projections call for the drilling of four to six additional production wells and one injector well, scheduled for completion in late 2009."
The Geysers geothermal field, located 75 miles north of San Francisco, California, is the largest producer of geothermal electricity in the world. Commercial geothermal power has been generated continuously at The Geysers field since 1960, the present generation level being about 900 MWe of clean, baseload electricity. Western GeoPower's Unit 1 project is situated in the south-western region of The Geysers field in Sonoma County.
About Western GeoPower Corp.
Western GeoPower Corp. is a renewable energy company dedicated to the development of geothermal energy projects for the delivery of clean, sustainable, baseload electricity generation. The Company is developing The Western GeoPower Unit 1 geothermal power plant at The Geysers Geothermal Field in California, United States and the South Meager Geothermal Project in British Columbia, Canada.
On behalf of Western GeoPower Corp.
Kenneth MacLeod, President & CEO
