February 24, 2021 (Edmonton, AB) – No. 1 Geothermal Limited Partnership has entered into an agreement with Akita Drilling to be the drilling provider for the exploration well of its geothermal project, Alberta No. 1. With Akita’s extensive drilling expertise in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, this collaboration continues to drive the Alberta No. 1 geothermal project forward.
“We have always stewarded Alberta No. 1 as a geothermal project ‘built in Alberta by Albertans,’” says Dr. Catherine Hickson, CEO of Alberta No. 1. “We are excited to work with an Albertan company with world-class expertise as we deliver the next chapter of the Province’s energy story.”
Drilling for geothermal heat can lead to significant economic value and emissions reductions for Alberta. Alberta No. 1 will produce a minimum of 5 MWe net of clean, baseload electricity and 300 TJ/year of thermal energy for local industries, including forestry, manufacturing, and innovative agriculture. A natural fit for Alberta’s evolving energy sector, the Alberta No. 1 project will create more than 300 direct and indirect jobs.
“At Akita, we are committed to excellence in performance and safety, and providing first-class drilling services that meet the requirements of the evolving energy industry,” says Colin Dease, incoming President of the Canadian Division of Akita Drilling. “We look forward to working on Alberta No. 1 and delivering drilling solutions in this developing geothermal sector.”
About Alberta No. 1
Alberta No. 1 is a geothermal energy project located in the Municipal District of Greenview No. 16. Owned by No. 1 Geothermal Limited Partnership, it is developed and managed by Edmonton-based Terrapin Geothermics Inc. Alberta No. 1 is partially funded through the Emerging Renewable Power Program, administered by Natural Resources Canada.
About Akita Drilling
Operating out of Calgary, Alberta, as a public company for nearly thirty years, Akita is a premier Canadian drilling contractor with a fleet of 37 drilling rigs. Akita provides contract drilling services through two geographical segments: Canada and the United States. Akita’s Canadian division operates both wholly-owned rigs and rigs that are partially owned by Akita and First Nations, Metis or Inuit joint venture partners including Akita Mistiyapew Aski Drilling Ltd. involving the Saulteau First Nation, Akita Equtak Drilling Ltd. involving the Inuvialuit, and Akita Wood Buffalo Drilling Ltd. involving Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, Fort McMurray 468 First Nation, Fort McKay Metis Local, Fort Chipewyan Metis Local and Conklin Metis Local.
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Source: Alberta No. 1 Press Release