US Geothermal has taken an ownership interest in Oregon’s Neal Hot Springs project from GCO Minerals and a private estate. Here are some details.

Via MarketWatch:

A 25% mineral interest, which encompasses 600 acres, was purchased from a private estate. An option to purchase an additional 25% interest in 2,110 acres was executed with GCO Minerals Company, a subsidiary of International Paper. The two mineral interest acquisitions in part overlie each other, and when combined provide USG Oregon with 600 acres of 50% mineral ownership and 1,510 acres of 25% mineral ownership in the heart of the defined Neal Hot Springs geothermal reservoir. This acreage includes the two existing production wells, and all of the currently planned new production and injection wells for the 22 megawatt development.

Via the Manila Standard:

Energy Development Corp., the renewable energy unit of First Gen Corp., will settle today its 22-billion yen debt (approximately $245 million), moving the company closer to overhauling the currency mix of its loan portfolio.

…

The company posted a P3.80-billion net income in the first quarter this year, up 68 percent from P2.27 billion year-on-year.

Two units—Green Core Geothermal Inc., operator of the 192.5-megawatt Palinpinon and 112.5-MW Tongonan I geothermal power plants, and First Gen Hydro Power Corp., operator of the Pantabangan and Masiway hydroelectric plants—contributed P1.22 billion to the income.

Energy Development remains the largest producer of geothermal energy in the Philippines to date, accounting for 62 percent of installed capacity.

Ram Geothermal Power has increased to 3,921 acres its leasehold in the prolific Geysers geothermal resource area in Northern California. Through the acquisition of Western Geopower, Ram acquired a 421 acre lease that has three production wells capable of supporting over 25MWe of production it is believed. This is a good move for Ram to establish a foothold where Calpine reigns supreme with 19 active plants, NCPA has 2 active plants, and US Renewables has 1 plant.

Radius Gold Inc. (TSX-V: RDU) announced that it has nearly 500,000 acres either under lease or application in Guatemala broken into 7 different tracts. Given that Radius has been in the exploration business for gold in the region for a decade and has run across several hydrothermal systems during that time, this is an interesting shift into an adjacency. In fact, one might call it smart taking the unnaturally high gold prices and using that leverage along with the experience they have in region to partner with an established producer to bring these projects to fruition.

Past studies have indicated that there is large geothermal potential in Guatemala, perhaps as much as 4GWe, but more likely around 1GWe. Presently, Ormat has two plants producing a net of around 46MWe in the region.

Raser Technology’s 15MWe Lightning Dock project in New Mexico is progressing through the drilling stage. They’ve posted a nice video to showcase how the project is moving along. Click the image to the right to view the video.