Chevron Mitsui & Co. collaborates to explore geothermal power generation

Recently, Chevron said that it will work with Mitsui & Co.
's oil exploration subsidiary to study the potential of geothermal power generation in
Japan.

Chevron New Energy International, a subsidiary of Chevron established last year, signed a cooperation agreement with Mitsui Oil Exploration to evaluate the effectiveness
of advanced closed-loop technology for future geothermal projects in Japan.
"Traditional geothermal projects use conventional steam turbines that require high temperatures, often in a centralized manner, limited by geological features
," the companies said in a statement.
Unlike traditional projects, advanced closed-loop technology has the potential to give people access to geothermal resources
over a larger range of temperatures and geology.
The two companies may also consider geothermal opportunities
elsewhere.

Hirotaka Hamamoto, CEO of Mitsui Oil Exploration, said the collaboration aims to combine Chevron's underground technology with Mitsui Oil's geothermal expertise, potentially unlocking Japan's vast geothermal resource advantage
.
Japan has the world's third largest geothermal energy reserves
.
After 2011, with policy support, geothermal power plants have sprung up in Japan, but they still account for only a small fraction
of the country's energy output.