Geothermal Information

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The Division of Water Rights is the primary state-level regulator for the exploration, development, drilling, constructing, and operation of geothermal systems in the State of Utah. The primary geothermal systems regulated by the State Engineer include:

Heating-Cooling Exchange (low temperature)

Closed-loop heat pump systems utilize the earth’s natural temperature to heat or cool buildings without removing groundwater from aquifers. These systems consist of one or more borings containing a closed-loop of HDPE tubing, and the tubing is completely sealed with grout inside the boring from bottom to top. A non-toxic working fluid (e.g., propylene glycol) is then circulated through the tubing then through a heat exchanger above ground to produce heating or cooling. These systems are considered non- production wells and permitted as such. They are regulated by the Administrative Rules for Wells (R655-4 UAC).
Open-loop heat pump systems utilize the heat energy in pumped groundwater to heat and cool buildings. These systems typically consist of a production well and an injection well, and groundwater is pumped from the production well, circulated through a heat exchanger, then injected back into the same aquifer via the injection well. Since these systems remove groundwater to the surface for a beneficial use, a water right is required. Because groundwater removed must be injected back into the same aquifer from which it came, the water right can be considered non-consumptive use. The Administrative Rules for Wells (R655-4 UAC) apply to the drilling and construction of the wells.

Direct Use (moderate to low temperature)

Direct use applications use low to moderate temperature groundwater for heating greenhouses, buildings, recreation facilities (spas, bathing, swimming, diving), etc. Low to moderate temperature groundwater is removed via a well and directly utilized for heating these applications. Direct use geothermal is considered a beneficial use and a water right is required as per Utah Water Rights law (Section 73 UCA). The Administrative Rules for Wells (R655-4 UAC) apply to the drilling and construction of direct use wells.

Power Production (high temperature)

Geothermal systems containing high temperature geothermal resources and fluids are utilized for the production of electricity. High Temperature geothermal resources are governed under the Utah Geothermal Resource Conservation Act (Section 73-22 UCA), and administrative rules for Wells Used for the Discovery and Production of Geothermal Energy in the State of Utah (R655-1 UAC). Hereafter, statute section 73-22 will be referred to as the Act and administrative rule R655-1 will be referred to as the Rule. A geothermal system is any strata, pool, reservoir, or other geologic formation containing geothermal resources. Geothermal resources defined in the Act include the energy derived from the earth’s heat at temperatures higher than 120°C (248°F) directly (e.g., traditional geothermal fluid systems such as steam, flash, and binary applications) or indirectly through an artificially introduced material medium that serves as a heat transfer medium (e.g., enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and deep high temp closed-loop systems). Geothermal fluid or hydrothermal fluid means the water and/or steam at temperatures higher than 120°C (248°F) naturally present in hot fractured rock in a geothermal system. A material medium can include intrinsic hydrothermal fluid such as with a traditional hydrothermal well system or an artificially introduced water/working fluid that serves as a heat transfer fluid such as with EGS/Closed-Loop applications.