Services
Research & consultancy
End-to-end geoscience services — from early exploration to monitoring and advice.
Research & consultancy
Borehole logging
Testing and assessing well output calls for a range of measurements that yield information about the characteristics of boreholes and their capacity, as well as the characteristics and properties of each geothermal system. The same applies to well stimulation aimed at increasing the output of both new and older production wells. Well testing is a key element in the drilling of exploration and production wells, in well maintenance, and in recording information about each geothermal field.
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Geothermal resource assessment
ÍSOR has decades of experience in assessing the energy reserves of geothermal fields, in both low- and high-temperature systems in Iceland and abroad. Assessing the size of a geothermal system involves surveys and research to determine the physical properties and energy-production capacity of the system concerned. The assessment is based on the data available at any given time, and on the stage the system's utilisation has reached. The data drawn on may come from surface exploration and from research and production drilling, as well as from production data.
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Chemical analyses
Sampling and chemical analysis of water, gas and geological materials are the core of ÍSOR's geochemical services. We are committed to providing our clients with dependable, professional service and we work to international standards. ÍSOR employs a team of chemists, geochemists and geologists who have built up specialist expertise in sampling and chemical analysis, above all for the geothermal industry in Iceland.
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Geological mapping
ÍSOR specialises in producing geological maps of many kinds, covering both the land and the seabed. For decades ÍSOR's specialists and their predecessors have worked to map the geology of Iceland and to present that information on maps of various types.
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District-heating production monitoring
ÍSOR has decades of experience in assessing the energy reserves of geothermal fields, in both low- and high-temperature systems in Iceland and abroad. Assessing the size of a geothermal system involves surveys and research to determine the physical properties and energy-production capacity of the system concerned. The assessment is based on the data available at any given time, and on the stage the system's utilisation has reached. The data drawn on may come from surface exploration and from research and production drilling, as well as from production data.
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Groundwater research
Water protection and the sustainable use of the water resource is a demand of our time, and ÍSOR holds specialist expertise in this field. ÍSOR has provided advice on groundwater and groundwater research for water utilities, aquaculture stations and companies that produce bottled water.
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Carbon storage
Reinjection of geothermal fluid has been practised for years at geothermal fields in Iceland, and it brings real benefits. Reinjecting effluent water prevents ponds or streams from forming at the surface. Reinjection can also maintain pressure in geothermal systems that would otherwise decline as they are used.
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Reservoir assessment & production management
ÍSOR has decades of experience in assessing the energy reserves of geothermal fields, in both low- and high-temperature systems in Iceland and abroad. Assessing the size of a geothermal system involves surveys and research to determine the physical properties and energy-production capacity of the system concerned. The assessment is based on the data available at any given time, and on the stage the system's utilisation has reached. The data drawn on may come from surface exploration and from research and production drilling, as well as from production data.
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Environmental monitoring
Environmental impact assessment is an important part of every geothermal project. Environmental factors have to be considered from the earliest plans right through to the point where a power plant is built.
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Teaching & training
ÍSOR takes pride in passing on its experience and knowledge. For many years our specialists have made up the greater part of the group that teaches and trains at the Geothermal Training Programme (GRÓ GTP). Training courses and workshops are offered around the world, where scientists from the host country are taught geothermal science and geothermal technology.
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Engineering geology
ÍSOR has extensive experience of geoscientific measurements in the preparation and design of roads and tunnels. ÍSOR has taken part in the larger tunnelling projects in Iceland, such as the Hvalfjörður tunnel, including seismic surveys for sub-sea tunnelling.
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Seafloor research
Knowledge of the geology and environment of the seabed is a prerequisite for making sensible use of the resources found there. Seabed resources include construction materials, metals, geothermal heat and oil or gas deposits.
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Surface exploration
ÍSOR carries out a wide range of research related to geothermal energy, covering both high- and low-temperature systems. This includes geological, geophysical and geochemical studies.
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Continental shelf affairs
ÍSOR provides the authorities with scientific advice on the delimitation of Iceland's continental shelf. This involves research work, data acquisition and data interpretation. ÍSOR's specialists have taken part in presenting Iceland's claims to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. ÍSOR has also advised in negotiations between states on the division of continental-shelf areas. Iceland claimed three continental-shelf areas beyond 200 nautical miles. The Ægir Basin (Ægisdjúp) was agreed in March 2016 on the basis of the report on Iceland's continental shelf. The other areas are the Reykjanes Ridge and the Hatton-Rockall area. The three areas total just over 1,400,000 km², about fourteen times Iceland's land area. There are significant interests for Iceland in securing the most extensive continental-shelf rights possible, even though it is not yet fully clear what resources the areas hold.
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