NEWS RELEASE
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DATE: April 22, 2009
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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
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TRADING SYMBOLS:
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TSX-V (CANADA): WGP.V
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FRANKFURT: WE6.F
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SOUTH MEAGER TESTING DEMONSTRATES POTENTIALLY
COMMERCIAL PERMEABILITY
VANCOUVER,
Canada, April
22, 2009, TSX Venture Exchange Trading Symbol: WGP ? Western
GeoPower Corp., a renewable energy company, today announced
that independent consultants GeothermEx, Inc., have recommended a drilling
program at the South Meager geothermal reservoir to target a
recently-identified zone of high permeability which has demonstrated
commercial potential.
Reporting on the results of airlift-assisted flow-testing of well
MC-8, GeothermEx projected that a new deviated well starting from a lower
wellhead elevation into the same permeable zone and at a much shorter
vertical depth than well MC-8 would flow at the equivalent of more than 6
megawatts (MW) of electrical energy. Well MC-8 itself was unable to sustain
self-flow following air lifting due to physical constraints imposed by the
deep water table.
To access the zone of permeability, GeothermEx has designed a deviated
well starting from the valley floor with a projected true vertical depth of
1,660 meters and a total wellbore length of less than 2,000 meters. Wellbore
simulation indicates that this well could flow at the equivalent of 6.4 MW of
electrical output at a wellhead pressure of 140 psig. If the reservoir fluid
encountered by this new well is at a greater temperature than the temperature
measured in MC-8, or should the well be drilled deeper than the targeted
1,660 meters, the megawatt capacity of the well could increase accordingly.
?The recent flow testing has corroborated our earlier projection of
high temperature, reasonable permeability and a deep water table at South
Meager,? said Dr. Subir Sanyal, President of GeothermEx. ?While a deep water
table has limited the well?s productivity, commercial productivity can still
be achieved in a well drilled from the valley floor and targeted to the
permeable zones in wells MC-8 and MC-6.?
Several excellent and easily-accessible locations for new drill pads
are available on the valley floor with ready access to the permeable zones in
MC-8 and MC-6. The Company intends to commence the permitting process for the
future wells once the snow has cleared sufficiently to allow surveying of the
sites.
?Our understanding of the geothermal reservoir characteristics at
South Meager has increased substantially,? said Kenneth Macleod, President
and CEO of Western GeoPower.
?We can now focus on securing the funding and permitting necessary to
complete the drilling program and prepare a feasibility report on the
project.?
In 2004 and 2005, wells MC-6, MC-7 and MC-8 were drilled on a single
pad approximately 700 vertical meters above Meager Creek on the shoulder of Pylon
Peak. The pad was located
closer to the projected upflow zone of the geothermal reservoir in comparison
with earlier pads located on the valley floor. Subsequent testing confirmed
that two of the wells, MC-6 and MC-8 encountered significant permeability and
all three wells showed higher temperatures at shallower depth than previous
wells. However, the presence of the geothermal water table at over 500 meters
below the pad has inhibited the ability of the recent wells to self flow. The
wells are being maintained for additional testing purposes and future enhancements
are being considered, such as deepening and/or sidetracking, once additional
permeable targets are identified by future drilling activities. Further
drilling is required to define the full commercial power production potential
for South Meager.
Western GeoPower
continues to liaise with provincial government agencies and key community and
First Nations stakeholders in preparation for submission of an Application
for Certification of the South Meager project under the BC Environmental
Assessment Act. The Company also is actively engaged in soliciting federal
funding for project development and working directly with the British
Columbia government on the updating of provincial
geothermal legislation and regulations.
About Western GeoPower
Corp.
Western GeoPower
Corp. is a renewable energy company dedicated to the development of
geothermal energy projects for the delivery of clean, sustainable, baseload
electricity generation. The Company is developing The Western
GeoPower Unit 1 geothermal power plant at The Geysers
Geothermal Field in California, United
States and the South Meager Geothermal Project in British
Columbia, Canada.
On behalf of the
Board of Western GeoPower Corp
?Kenneth
MacLeod?
Kenneth MacLeod,
President & CEO
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