Strataphy completes multiple geothermal drilling and testing campaigns in Saudi Arabia
Multiple wellbores at the greenfield development site with the testing units. (source: Strataphy)
Carlo Cariaga
14 Apr 2025
Strataphy has completed several drilling and testing campaigns in Saudi Arabia and aims deploy their first geothermal cooling system within the year.
Geothermal cooling startup Strataphy has announced that it has completed multiple geothermal drilling and testing campaigns in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, spanning different locations in the west and northwest of the country. These campaigns mark a significant step forward in advancing geothermal energy applications—specifically geothermal cooling and heating—as a viable, efficient, and sustainable solution for the region.
Key findings from the campaign
The campaigns involved drilling over 25 wellbores at varying depths of up to 250 meters, conducting more than 18 Thermal Response Tests (TRT), as well as multiple Open-Loop Geothermal Tests and Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) Tests. These efforts provided critical insights into the geothermal potential across different geological settings in Saudi Arabia.
The key findings are as follows:
- Shallow geothermal reservoirs have shown strong potential for highly efficient open-loop geothermal systems, with a Coefficient of Performance (COP) exceeding 5.5, making them significantly more energy-efficient than conventional cooling technologies.
- Favorable subsurface thermal conductivity and diffusivity values confirm strong heat transfer characteristics, supporting both geothermal cooling and seasonal energy storage.
- ATES testing results support an 80/20 cooling-to-heating split, making it an ideal solution for Saudi Arabia’s climate and energy needs.
- The local supply chain is well-equipped to support geothermal adoption at a scale and quickly, leveraging existing expertise and resources from the oil and gas industry.
- The economic case is strong, with geothermal cooling expected to deliver substantial cost savings compared to conventional air-based systems for various applications.
These findings provide a clear path forward for large-scale geothermal cooling deployment in the Kingdom.
“The momentum behind geothermal energy in Saudi Arabia is growing, and Strataphy is proud to be a key enabler of this transition. By integrating cutting-edge technology with deep industry expertise, we are accelerating the deployment of geothermal systems that are both commercially viable and environmentally impactful,” said Ahmed Alhani, COO at Strataphy.
The need for sustainable cooling in Saudi Arabia
With Saudi Arabia experiencing some of the highest cooling demands per capita globally, driven by rapid urbanization and large-scale construction projects, finding clean and efficient cooling solutions is a national priority. Today, 50-70% of the country’s electricity consumption is dedicated to cooling, primarily through conventional air-based systems that rely on fossil fuels and contribute to high CO? emissions.
Geothermal-based cooling presents an alternative that is not only more energy-efficient but also aligns with the country’s broader sustainability goals. Strataphy has been working with sustainability-driven initiatives in Saudi Arabia to help achieve energy efficiency targets, ensuring that cooling—an essential component of the country’s energy strategy—is addressed through innovative and sustainable solutions.
By integrating geothermal cooling, the country can:
- Reduce electricity consumption for cooling by up to 50%, cutting operational costs for businesses and developments;
- Reduce the cost of electrical grid expansion associated with projected growth in cooling demand;
- Improve grid stability, especially during peak summer demand;
- Significantly lower CO? emissions, supporting national and international sustainability commitments;
- Enhance energy security, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based cooling systems.
“Geothermal energy represents a fundamental shift in how we think about sustainable cooling and heating. At Strataphy, we are not just adopting geothermal solutions; we are actively shaping the ecosystem—developing scalable projects that drive efficiency, lower emissions, and redefine energy resilience in the region,” said Ammar Alali, CEO at Strataphy.
What’s next: Installing geothermal systems in the country
Saudi Arabia is home to some of the largest construction and development projects in the world, driving an increasing demand for cooling. However, the country remains reliant on air-based cooling methods that consume high amounts of electricity and contribute to emissions.
Based on the findings from their recent campaigns, Strataphy is now taking action to implement geothermal cooling solutions at scale. The first fully operational geothermal cooling system in Saudi Arabia will be commissioned before the end of this year, marking the country’s first industrial-scale geothermal cooling project.
More over, two additional geothermal cooling projects will begin installation in summer 2025, with commissioning expected in the near future. Strataphy is also targeting the installation of over 15+ MW-th of geothermal cooling capacity within the next three years, and 50+ MW-th in the next five years – accelerating the adoption of sustainable cooling across the Kingdom.
About Strataphy
Strataphy is transforming geothermal cooling with its proprietary and patent-pending subsurface system design and wellbore completion technologies which include an advanced geothermal cooling system and wellbore completion solutions. These innovations optimize heat exchange efficiency, adaptability across geological settings, and long-term performance.
At the core of this advancement is Strataphy’s Cooling as a Service (CAS) model, which provides sustainable cooling without upfront investments. By leveraging advanced wellbore designs and subsurface engineering, Strataphy delivers a subscription-based solution covering system design, installation, and operations & maintenance (O&M).
With its cutting-edge wellbore completion methods, Strataphy enhances thermal conductivity, fluid dynamics, and energy efficiency, making geothermal cooling more viable and cost-effective.
By combining patent-pending subsurface technologies with a service-driven model, Strataphy is leading the shift toward scalable, high-performance geothermal cooling to support Saudi Arabia’s energy transition.
Source: Email correspondence
