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Fossil fuel technology boosts clean geothermal energy

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 11:00 GMT by Washington Examiner
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How “Shale Steam” Technology is Giving Geothermal Energy a Clean‑Energy Boost

In a world where the push for low‑carbon electricity is faster than ever, Washington Examiner’s recent policy piece “Shale steam fossil fuel technology boosts clean geothermal energy” (Washington Examiner, 2025) argues that the very tools that have unlocked the United States’ shale gas boom can now be repurposed to power the next generation of geothermal plants. The article takes readers through a story of technical ingenuity, economic promise, and a future in which geothermal plants can grow faster, cheaper, and with lower emissions than ever before.

1. From Shale to Steam – A New Use for Old Wells

The piece begins by explaining how the U.S. shale boom of the past decade was built on the same kind of drilling and hydraulic‑fracturing technology that can also tap the deep heat stored beneath the earth’s crust. “Shale steam” refers to the high‑temperature, pressurized steam that emerges when a well is drilled into a reservoir rich in hydrocarbons and the surrounding rock is heated by the natural geothermal gradient. In the shale‑gas world, this steam is typically vented or captured for industrial use; the Examiner’s author points out that it can instead be routed directly to a turbine.

A key example cited in the article is the “Shale Steam Pilot” program in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, where a partnership between a major energy company and a local university has turned two abandoned gas wells into a 2‑MW geothermal pilot. The program uses the natural steam generated by the heated shale formations to drive a turbine, proving that the infrastructure already in place for shale extraction can be leveraged for clean power.

2. The Technical Advantages

The Examiner article goes into the science behind why this approach could reduce costs:

1. Existing Wells and Surface Infrastructure – Because the wells are already drilled, the capital cost for drilling a new geothermal borehole is largely avoided.
2. Higher Temperatures – Shale formations can produce steam at temperatures up to 300 °C, which is higher than the typical 200 °C found in conventional low‑temperature geothermal fields.
3. Reduced Need for Artificial Injection – The natural steam pressure means that artificial injection wells, which are a major cost in many geothermal projects, may be unnecessary.

The article quotes Dr. Maria Ruiz, a geothermal engineer at the University of Utah, who says, “The biggest barrier in many geothermal projects is the upfront drilling cost and the uncertainty of the reservoir. By reusing shale wells, we get a known reservoir, proven flow rates, and we already know the mechanical integrity of the wellbore.”

3. Policy and Market Implications

Washington Examiner’s policy lens brings the discussion into the realm of federal incentives. The article references the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) “Geothermal Technology Demonstration Program” and the 2024 Inflation Reduction Act, which includes a 30 % tax credit for geothermal development. By aligning shale steam projects with these credits, developers can achieve a net present value that is competitive with conventional wind and solar.

The Examiner article also notes the environmental upside. Because the steam is produced from natural heat rather than burning fossil fuels, the resulting plant emits virtually no CO₂. In fact, the authors estimate that a 50‑MW shale‑steam plant could offset the emissions of about 120,000 cars over its lifetime. The article stresses that, unlike hydrocarbon‑fired power plants, this technology produces no carbon pollution and no hazardous waste products beyond the minimal geothermal brine.

4. Challenges and Skepticism

No article would be complete without a balanced view, and the Washington Examiner does not shy away from the risks. One concern is the variability of steam production over time; if the natural reservoir depletes, the plant’s output could dwindle. A second challenge is the regulatory framework. Some states have stringent rules on well abandonment, and the re‑activation of old wells for power generation might require new permits.

The piece quotes environmental watchdogs, such as the Sierra Club, who worry about “indirect” emissions from drilling and the potential for induced seismicity when high‑pressure steam is diverted to new paths. The author counters that modern drilling practices, coupled with real‑time monitoring, mitigate these risks.

5. Looking Forward – A “Clean” Geothermal Future

The article rounds out with a forward‑looking vision. The authors argue that, if federal policy and state incentives align, the shale‑steam model could serve as a launchpad for geothermal projects in regions that were previously too expensive to explore. They point out that several U.S. states with abundant shale resources—such as North Dakota, Montana, and Texas—could become geothermal power hubs within the next decade.

An exciting link mentioned in the Examiner piece directs readers to the DOE’s “Geothermal Resources Assessment” web portal, which details the country’s high‑temperature zones that are ideal for steam‑driven power. The article encourages policymakers, developers, and investors to examine these data sets and consider the “shale steam” pathway as a legitimate, high‑yield renewable energy source.

Key Takeaways

• Reusing existing shale wells can reduce the capital cost of geothermal plants by up to 30 %.
• High temperatures (up to 300 °C) from shale steam enable efficient power generation.
• Federal incentives (tax credits, grants) can accelerate the development of these projects.
• Environmental benefits are substantial: zero CO₂ emissions from the plant itself and a smaller carbon footprint than conventional fossil‑fuel power.
• Regulatory hurdles and resource variability remain significant challenges that must be addressed.

In an era where the energy sector is re‑imagining the role of fossil fuels, Washington Examiner’s article offers a compelling argument that the legacy of the shale boom can be turned into a new clean‑energy narrative. By blending existing infrastructure with geothermal technology, stakeholders might just find a shortcut to a low‑carbon future—one steam‑filled well at a time.