WWJ Closeup, September 2026

SOREN SOE
CoilRig™
Co-Founder
Adelaide, South Australia

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF DRILLING WITH COILED TUBING?
Coiled tubing enables continuous, fully automated drilling—eliminating manual rod handling, improving safety, and increasing productivity. The challenge is industry familiarity; shifting from conventional methods requires mindset change, training, and demonstrating reliability at scale across diverse applications.

WHAT WERE THE RESULTS IN COMMISSIONING THE CTENERGY500 RIG AND IMPLICATIONS OF THEM?
Commissioning confirmed a step-change—it more than doubled productivity, far exceeding our initial 30% target, drilling 360 feet to 410 feet per hour (6 to 7 feet per minute). The result: a scalable, high-efficiency solution that cuts geothermal drilling costs and accelerates deployment.

HOW CAN GEOTHERMAL MEET THE DEMANDS OF DATA CENTER COOLING IN THE UNITED STATES?
Geothermal delivers reliable, baseload thermal energy ideal for data center cooling. With innovative, high-efficiency drilling technologies reducing cost and installation time, geothermal can scale to meet demand. Standardized, fit-for-purpose drilling systems are essential to enable rapid, repeatable deployment across large infrastructure projects.

TOP TIPS FOR CONTRACTORS DIVERSIFYING INTO GEOTHERMAL?
Adopt fit-for-purpose coiled tubing technology designed for geothermal, not adapted from other sectors. Prioritize systems that improve safety, simplify operations, and increase productivity. Partner with innovators, invest in training, and focus on repeatable, data-driven performance to build profitability.

LARGEST HURDLE FOR DRILLERS TO BELIEVE IN COILED TUBING DRILLING FOR GEOTHERMAL AND WATER WELL?
The biggest hurdle is legacy thinking—conventional practices are deeply embedded. Operations must also adapt. Fast, uninterrupted drilling produces more cuttings, so an undersized mud recycler can become the productivity bottleneck. Consistent field results demonstrating equal or better performance, with greater
safety and automation, ultimately build confidence and adoption.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MEET THE CURRENT AND FUTURE GEOTHERMAL WORKLOAD?
Innovation must simplify drilling. Automated, user-friendly systems reduce reliance on specialist skills and shorten training time. Standardization, safer working environments, and improved productivity make geothermal more accessible.