Geothermal energy shows high potential to become a lead provider of baseload heat and electrical power to help satisfy the world's clean energy needs. The main challenge is to extract this energy safely and commercially for profitable electric generation. Economic geothermal energy extraction will require well construction costs (taking up 50% to 75% of the overall project cost) to be reduced. Well construction costs can be reduced by successful heat management and improving drilling performance, thereby avoiding unplanned and unnecessary bit/BHA trips that could add unnecessary expense to the geothermal project. This session aims to delve into the current state of geothermal energy extraction and explore the various strategies and technologies that can be leveraged to overcome the challenges of economic viability. Through expert insights and practical case studies, we will assess multiple drilling optimization approaches needed to unlock the full potential of geothermal energy.

Speakers are expected to submit papers on the topics below to support the session objective.
1) Heat management and cooling strategies while drilling high-temperature reservoirs to prevent the premature temperature-dependent failure of downhole bits and tools during geothermal drilling.
2) Bit rock interaction and drillstring dynamics models to optimize drilling efficiency and prevent downhole tool damage, directional controls challenge, and drill bit failures while drilling hard/abrasive rock formation
3) Wellbore strengthening technologies and loss circulation treatments to avoid mud losses while drilling fractured geothermal reservoirs with large apertures.
4) Technologies, tools, and drilling practices that could be used to optimize operational drilling efficiency.