SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

INPEX launches geothermal drilling in Shibetsu, Hokkaido

INPEX begins exploratory geothermal drilling in Shibetsu, Hokkaido, after extensive studies, to develop new energy sources.

Share:

Forages exploratoires géothermiques INPEX.

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99€/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

INPEX Corporation (INPEX) has announced the launch of an exploratory drilling campaign for geothermal resources in the town of Shibetsu, located on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. The project site is located in the Sempo area, west of Shibetsu, near Mount Musa-dake. Drilling is scheduled to begin by 2027.
This initiative follows detailed studies carried out by INPEX after the “Selection of Operators for the Musadake Region Geothermal Survey”. Surface, geophysical and preliminary drilling studies have confirmed the presence of geothermal resources in the Sempo area. This project is part of Japan’s drive to develop the geothermal sector.

INPEX Development Strategy

The geothermal development at Shibetsu is part of INPEX’s energy expansion strategy. In line with the company’s strategic vision “INPEX Vision @ 2022”, INPEX, in partnership with Idemitsu Kosan and MOECO, has already carried out studies and drilling at the Amemasudake geothermal site in Hokkaido, and has acquired stakes in geothermal projects in Indonesia.
Hokkaido Prefecture is a hotbed of geothermal development in Japan. At the beginning of the year, two geothermal power plants were commissioned in Hokkaido: the MORI binary geothermal power plant (2MW) and the Minami-Kayaba geothermal power plant (6.5MW). At the same time, Chevron and MOECO are testing advanced geothermal technologies in the Niseko region.

Sales outlook

The Shibetsu drilling project represents a strategic opportunity for INPEX to explore and potentially develop new sources of geothermal energy. Confirmation of the geothermal resources at Sempo could lead to further investment and expansion of geothermal power generation in Japan, strengthening INPEX’s position in the energy market.
The involvement of major companies such as INPEX, Idemitsu Kosan, MOECO and Chevron in these projects highlights the growing importance of geothermal energy. Investment in geothermal technology and associated infrastructure is essential to diversify energy sources and ensure reliable production.
The development of geothermal projects in Hokkaido and elsewhere underlines the company’s commitment to investing in sustainable, cost-effective energy solutions. These initiatives can potentially pave the way for an increase in energy capacity and a reduction in dependence on traditional energy sources.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Global warming heads toward 2.5°C despite commitments
BrightNight and Cordelio Power Reach Financial Close for 300 MW Pioneer Hybrid Project in Arizona
ACWA Power signs $10bn in energy and financing deals at FII9
CPV secures $1.1bn funding for 1,350 MW gas-fired power plant in Texas
Washington invests $100mn to modernise coal plants as exports drop 11%
Mazama Energy reaches 331 °C with its geothermal reactor and targets large-scale production
Mazama Energy has completed the creation of the world’s hottest Enhanced Geothermal System, paving the way for low-cost, high-density baseload power aimed at data centres and heavy industry.
Ormat and SLB launch partnership to industrialise enhanced geothermal systems
Ormat Technologies and SLB join forces to accelerate the development of integrated geothermal systems, including a pilot EGS project at an existing site for large-scale commercial deployment.
Heat deliveries via networks reach 32.3 TWh in 2024, a record for the sector
With a 9.3% increase in one year, district heating networks cross a historic threshold, while cooling networks continue expanding in response to intensifying heatwaves.
France: Dalkia invests EUR18mn to expand Paris-Vallée de la Marne geothermal network
Dalkia and Paris-Vallée de la Marne launch a project to upgrade the GEOVAL network, aiming to deliver 20 GWh annually with 90% decarbonised energy.
PT SMI invests $144.9mn in key geothermal power plant in Indonesia
State-owned PT SMI financed 65% of the Ijen geothermal plant, recently inaugurated, while continuing social responsibility programmes in East Java province.
Project InnerSpace unveils GeoMap in the Middle East with 14,000 GW geothermal potential
The new GeoMap tool identifies vast geothermal potential in the Middle East, notably for urban cooling, long-duration storage, and large-scale power generation.
Clean Energy Technologies installs ORC system for global industrial manufacturer in the United States
Clean Energy Technologies and RPG Energy Group completed the installation of an Organic Rankine Cycle heat recovery system at a major industrial site in Tennessee.
Factor2 Energy raises $9.1mn to industrialise geothermal power from stored CO₂
German start-up Factor2 Energy has raised $9.1mn in venture capital to develop a geothermal system based on CO₂ injected into porous geological formations, with the goal of building a pilot power plant in Germany.
Dig Energy raises $5mn to industrialise lightweight geothermal drilling technology
Start-up Dig Energy has secured $5mn to launch its first pilot projects for compact geothermal drilling, aiming to cut thermal energy production costs in buildings without relying on conventional oilfield rigs.
Baker Hughes joins CTR for a mega geothermal project in California
Baker Hughes joins the development of the second phase of the Hell’s Kitchen project in California, targeting 500 megawatts of geothermal energy to power energy-intensive data centres.
Baker Hughes to deliver geothermal equipment to Fervo Energy for 300 MW capacity
Baker Hughes will supply Fervo Energy with key equipment for five geothermal ORC plants as part of the Cape Station Phase II project in Utah, United States.
Ormat extends 25-year PPA for 52 MW from Heber 1 geothermal plant
A long-term extension secures continuous baseload geothermal power supply to California’s main utilities while strengthening financial visibility in the energy sector.
The new Tanawon geothermal site adds 22 MW to the Philippine energy grid
The inauguration of the Tanawon geothermal site, with a capacity of 22 megawatts, marks a milestone in the expansion of the Philippines’ energy park with local solutions of low carbon footprint.
Global geothermal investments projected to reach $13.56bn by 2030
The rise in investments and the boom in binary cycle technologies are placing geothermal energy at the heart of global energy strategies, driven by heat pump demand and Asian ambitions.
Daldrup & Söhne AG wins EU-wide tender for major geothermal energy contract
Daldrup & Söhne AG has won an EU-wide tender for drilling geothermal wells in Pullach, a large-scale project that could enhance the economic appeal of geothermal energy in Germany.
The Bureau of Land Management streamlines regulation to speed up American geothermal sector
The Bureau of Land Management removes rules deemed obsolete to facilitate the development of geothermal projects, announcing new geothermal lease auctions in California and Idaho.
Geothermal Radar launches global platform to accelerate industrial geothermal projects
Geothermal Radar unveils an interactive mapping tool and global thermal model designed to support governments and companies in identifying and developing new geothermal sites internationally.
Geothermal investment jumps 85% driven by new technologies
North America registers record funding of $1.7 billion in the first quarter of 2025, driven by emerging innovative techniques exploiting previously inaccessible geothermal resources, according to recent analysis by Wood Mackenzie.
Kenya: Globeleq secures ATIDI guarantee for Menengai geothermal project
Globeleq and African Trade & Investment Development Insurance finalise a payment guarantee for the Menengai geothermal project (35 MW), securing financing ahead of its planned operational launch in Kenya.
Ignis Energy secures $13.6mn to accelerate global geothermal projects
Ignis Energy closes its $13.6mn Series A funding round, gathering international players to finance geothermal projects in the United States and Türkiye, now entering the technical maturity phase.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99€/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.