Converting old gas wells to produce clean geothermal heat represents a significant shift toward renewable energy solutions.
A controversial gas drilling site in northern England might soon help heat nearby homes without burning fossil fuels. Third Energy, recently acquired by renewable company CeraPhi Energy, plans to convert old gas wells in Kirby Misperton into geothermal energy systems that could provide clean geothermal heat to hundreds of local homes.
The plan marks a dramatic turnaround for a site that once sparked fierce protests. In 2016, locals opposed proposals to use hydraulic fracturing—commonly known as fracking—at the site. Fracking emerged during the US Civil War in the 1860s and was first used commercially in the late 1940s, arriving in the UK by the 1970s.
Mike Potter, a former protester, risked his government job by joining demonstrations. He opposed fracking until companies could prove they could conduct it safely.
Fracking involves injecting a fluid deep underground to force natural gas to the surface. The practice can trigger earthquakes and potentially contaminate groundwater. These concerns led the UK government to ban fracking in England in 2019, leaving questions about what would happen to sites like the one in Kirby Misperton.
The proposed system would use “closed-loop geothermal” technology to deliver clean geothermal heat to the community. This method places a sealed, water-filled pipe inside existing wells to absorb heat from deep underground. The warmed water then returns to the surface, where its heat can be transferred to nearby buildings.
According to Russell Hoare, managing director at Third Energy, the system doesn’t touch the geology at all. It simply places a small tube inside the well.
The deepest well at Kirby Misperton, known as KM8, goes down 3 kilometers. Tests show temperatures at the bottom reach about 115°C, even hotter than the 90°C the company expected.
Early experiments suggest the system could maintain temperatures around 42°C at the surface. Heat pumps would boost this further before sending clean geothermal heat to local homes.
Unlike fracking, the closed-loop approach doesn’t force fluid into the surrounding rock. It simply collects naturally occurring heat and brings it to the surface, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
Many former protesters now support the geothermal project. Potter was initially skeptical but changed his mind after seeing a demonstration of how clean geothermal heat could be extracted. He now volunteers for Third Energy, talking to local organizations about their heating needs and the potential benefits of clean geothermal heat. He’s approached schools and even a local swimming pool to gauge interest.
Hazel Winter, another former protester and local teaching assistant, also backs the plan. She believes it represents a complete turnaround that will keep fossil fuels in the ground and could serve as a template for a whole new industry.
The process isn’t cheap. Fitting a well with water loop equipment could cost up to £1 million ($1.3 million). However, these wells might provide clean geothermal heat for many years with minimal interruption if properly maintained.
Third Energy says it has a total of 12 wells that could be used for geothermal energy in Yorkshire, three of which are located at Kirby Misperton. According to Hoare, this gives the wells potentially another 25-plus years of life. The company is eager to drill additional wells locally to expand its network of geothermal boreholes.
Not everyone agrees about how much energy these wells can produce. Russell Hoare claims one deep well could heat about 100 homes with clean geothermal heat.
Some scientists challenge this figure. Gioia Falcone from the University of Glasgow doubts that all 12 boreholes together could heat 100 homes.
Her team’s research suggests temperatures might drop over time as heat is extracted. They estimate the output temperature could fall to 21.8°C, enough for only 19 homes if each uses 11,200 kWh annually.
Hoare disputes these findings. He says researchers did not have access to all the company data on the well system’s functioning and did not consider how multiple heat pumps would improve performance. According to Hoare, the three wells could supply 6,900,000 kWh over 12 months—enough clean geothermal heat for a few hundred homes.
Fleur Loveridge, an expert in underground energy systems at the University of Leeds, sees both sides. She points to a similar system in Germany that produces 600 kilowatts of power, potentially enough for 100 homes. In her assessment, the proposal sounds ambitious but not impossible, representing exactly the kind of project that should be pursued.
The technology is gaining attention worldwide. In 2024, the British Geological Survey began drilling 28 shallow boreholes to provide clean geothermal heat for its offices in Nottinghamshire.
The U.S. has explored converting old oil wells to geothermal sites in Utah, Texas, and Nevada. The European Union also funds similar research into clean geothermal heat solutions.
Approximately 25% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from heating buildings. Moving away from natural gas and oil heating systems can be expensive and difficult for homeowners, making clean geothermal heat an attractive alternative for reducing carbon footprints.
According to Loveridge, renewables such as geothermal should play a substantial role in the future.
Third Energy received a £40,000 ($50,400) grant in February to help develop the project beyond the demonstration phase. Major construction work to implement the clean geothermal heat system hasn’t started yet.
Potter remains hopeful about the potential. He describes it as home-produced heat energy, noting the high prices British homeowners have recently paid for imported heating fuels. If successful, the technology could be replicated across the UK, having a significant impact.
See also: Learning about Geothermal Energy at the Source
The project represents a remarkable shift—from a site that once symbolized fossil fuel extraction to one that might pioneer clean energy production. Former protesters and energy company officials now collaborate toward a common goal: achieving sustainable local heating through clean geothermal energy.
Whether the wells can deliver their promised output remains to be seen. However, the collaboration between former adversaries demonstrates how renewable energy can foster unexpected partnerships in the fight against climate change.
