ThermaPrime has acquired three more rigs similar to this 1,500-horsepower platformThermaprime Drilling Corporation is expanding operations by acquiring three more rigs to support the geothermal expansion program of its affiliate and help the country attain energy security.

Two of the three drilling rigs have a capacity of 1,500 horsepower (hp), while the third has a 1,000-hp capacity. ThermaPrime purchased the rigs recently from the US and United Arab Emirates. ThermaPrime said the acquisition of three additional drilling rigs augments its two current 2,000-hp rigs and supports the development of additional geothermal wells of Energy Development Corporation (EDC).

EDC is currently undertaking a P30-billion program to drill until 2026 another 40 geothermal wells in its geothermal sites in Albay, Sorsogon, Leyte, Negros and Davao for its parent firm First Gen Corporation. The drilling forms part of the overall program of First Gen as a group to expand its renewable energy (RE) capacity by over 7,000 megawatts by 2030.

ThermaPrime, which specializes in drilling geothermal wells and related services, has been a key enabler of geothermal power in the country, completing over 200 projects since the company was founded in 2011.

On the other hand, First Gen is the Philippines’ leading RE producer, with 26 hydro, wind, solar and geothermal power facilities with over 1,650 MW of total RE capacity. In 2023 alone, First Gen’s portfolio of RE plants generated 8,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity, primarily from its geothermal units.

(Story/Photos by:Joel Gaborni)