Abstract. The important scientific questions that will form the basis of a full
proposal to drill a deep well to the ductile–brittle transition zone
(T>400 ∘C) at Newberry Volcano, central Oregon
state, USA, were discussed during an International Continental Drilling
Program (ICDP) sponsored workshop held at the Oregon State
University-Cascades campus in Bend, Oregon, from 10 to 13 September 2017.
Newberry Volcano is one of the largest geothermal heat reservoirs in the USA
and has been extensively studied for the last 40 years. The Newberry Deep
Drilling Project (NDDP) will be located at an idle geothermal exploration
well, NWG 46-16, drilled in 2008, 3500 m deep and 340–374 ∘C at
bottom, which will be deepened another 1000 to 1300 m to reach
500 ∘C. The workshop concluded by setting ambitious goals for
the NDDP: (1) test the enhanced geothermal system (EGS) above the critical
point of water, (2) collect samples of rocks within the brittle–ductile
transition, (3) investigate volcanic hazards, (4) study magmatic
geomechanics, (5) calibrate geophysical imaging techniques, and (6) test
technology for drilling, well completion, and geophysical monitoring in a
very high-temperature environment. Based on these recommendations, a full
drilling proposal was submitted in January 2018 to the ICDP for deepening an
existing well. The next steps will be to continue building a team with
project, technology, and investment partners to make the NDDP a reality.