2026 Spring Webinars

DISCUSSIONS AND INSIGHT FROM EGI

The Energy and Geoscience Institute at the University of Utah (EGI) is pleased to announce a Spring Webinar Series. EGI is a multidisciplinary research institute at the University of Utah specializing in petroleum production, carbon management and renewable energy. The energy landscape is changing rapidly. The webinars are intended to provide information on ongoing research in advanced energy technologies. The Webinar Series will also help EGI gather feedback from its industrial partners and the community on the ongoing work and collaboration opportunities.

EGI has performed groundbreaking geoscience research around the world, worked on innovative geothermal technologies, and developed a portfolio of carbon dioxide sequestration projects. EGI manages FORGE (Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy), an EGS (Engineered Geothermal Systems) project funded by the US Department of Energy. EGI has added decarbonization and grid management expertise to provide integrated and optimized solutions across the entire energy value chain for the low carbon future. Strength in petroleum exploration, well construction, production, and refining as well as in renewables and carbon management allows EGI to lead in the ongoing energy transition, while promoting energy security.

EGI collaborates with industrial partners through its Corporate Associate Membership Program or through sponsored research projects and consortia. Participants benefit from the discoveries, and by interacting with faculty, students and scientific staff while engaging in multi-sponsored, cost-shared research.

Kristie McLin, Ph.D

Director, Research and Science

May 28th at 9 pm MT | REGISTER HERE

An Update of Activities and Plans at Utah FORGE

The Utah Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (Utah FORGE) is the U.S. Department of Energy’s dedicated field laboratory for advancing enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) technology in low-permeability, high-temperature crystalline rock. Since being awarded the FORGE designation in 2018, Utah FORGE has progressed through multiple development phases focused on site characterization, drilling, stimulation, circulation testing, and open data sharing to reduce the cost and risk of EGS deployment. This presentation provides an update on recent activities and outlines near- and mid-term plans at the Utah FORGE site near Milford, Utah.

Major accomplishments to date include significant reductions in drilling time and cost through optimized drilling practices and novel polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit designs, successful drilling and stimulation of highly deviated geothermal wells, demonstration of commercial-scale flow rates and temperatures, and pioneering applications of fiber-optic sensing and advanced microseismic monitoring in high-temperature environments. Utah FORGE has also supported a broad external R&D portfolio, resulting in new tools and technologies for drilling, stimulation, and reservoir monitoring.

Current activities focus on Phase 4A circulation testing, including construction and commissioning of surface facilities, extended-duration circulation between existing wells, and comprehensive seismic, thermal, and geochemical monitoring. Results from this testing will guide the placement and design of an additional instrumented well and inform subsequent stimulation and longer-term circulation experiments. Planned work aims to further evaluate reservoir connectivity, thermal sustainability, and operational performance under conditions relevant to commercial EGS development. Collectively, these efforts continue to advance the technical foundation needed to achieve DOE cost and deployment goals for geothermal energy.

WATCH PAST WEBINARS HERE