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Developing Geothermal Energy
From Subsurface to Surface Integration
LIVE TRAINING
1st - 3rd December 2025
Meet the Course Leaders
Kevin Gray BSc (Hons)
Director of Operations, Black Reiver Consulting
With over 35 years in the drilling industry and more than 5,000 days of rig-site operational experience, Kevin now focuses on delivering advanced drilling optimisation solutions to the geothermal sector. His career spans high-performance directional drilling, extended reach applications, real-time operations, and world-class technical training — all redirected toward addressing the specific challenges of geothermal well construction.
Kevin is a lead member and founding contributor to the IADC Geothermal Committee steering group, where he was instrumental in developing the IADC geothermal well classification system and initiating the IADC Geothermal Drilling Conference. He is also a founding member of the UK’s APPG on Deep Geothermal,helping shape policy and standards across the sector. His expertise has been shared globally through speaking engagements at geothermal conferences in Vienna, Taiwan, Hawaii, and London, and he is an established training provider for Geothermal Rising.
Through Black Reiver Consulting, Kevin provides geothermal operators, developers, and investors with services including technical training, asset evaluation, drilling performance optimisation, and due diligence. He supports a range of geothermal startups and has contributed to the development and commercialisation of enabling technologies — notably as the originator of the Geo-Lok geothermal wellhead system, now being commercialised by Oil States Renewables. He is also a published author on geothermal topics across several industry platforms.
Earlier in his career, Kevin was consistently the highest-rated instructor with Schlumberger’s NExT training organisation and lead trainer with the award-winning Merlin ERD team. He designed and delivered industry-respected courses in ERD, stuck pipe prevention, directional drilling, and real-time operations. He authored the first global SOP for directional drilling support centres, developed human dynamics training for real-time operations teams, and led the offshore team that created the first multi-axis real-time vibration monitoring tool. His input into the development and field testing of Schlumberger’s PowerDrive RSS tool contributed significantly to the redesign of the X5 variant.
Kevin continues to drive performance gains in geothermal drilling by merging deep technical expertise with proven field experience, focusing on solutions that work in real-world rig situations
Daria Ivakhnenko
Black Reiver Consulting
Daria Ivakhnenko is a dynamic project and business manager with 20 years of experience in the energy sector, specialising in technical writing, translation, interpretation, and cross-cultural and interdepartmental communication. She has proven expertise in managing high-value, high-risk projects within the oil and gas and geothermal industry, delivering operational excellence, cost optimisation, and seamless stakeholder collaboration.
Course Description
This advanced training program offers an integrated view of geothermal energy development from geological resource evaluation to surface plant systems, digital technologies, and commercial models. Participants will explore technical, environmental, regulatory, and financial aspects through structured sessions, case studies, and guided discussions.
Key Focus Areas
- Classification of geothermal project types, including hydrothermal, EGS, and direct use
- Application of the IADC Geothermal Well Classification System
- Understanding geothermal gradients, lithological influences, and structural geology
- Application of geophysical methods such as magnetotellurics and seismic surveys
- Use of geochemical tracers and geothermometers in reservoir detection
- Resource classification frameworks (UNFC, CRISCO) and estimation techniques
- Risk assessment strategies for exploration and development phases
- Drilling technologies and design for high-temperature, corrosive environments
- Thermal and mechanical considerations in casing and cementing for geothermal wells
- Principles of reservoir modeling, pressure management, and reinjection design
- Techniques and tools for hydraulic and chemical stimulation in EGS projects
- Synergies between geothermal systems and CCUS or hydrogen production
- Environmental, social, and regulatory aspects of geothermal deployment
- ESG metrics, permitting processes, and stakeholder engagement models
- Project cost structures, CAPEX/OPEX planning, and funding mechanisms
- Risk mitigation tools, including insurance and exploration guarantees
Key Takeaways
- Ability to differentiate geothermal system types and their operational contexts
- Recognition of geological and thermal factors influencing resource viability
- Familiarity with global geothermal classification systems and risk frameworks
- Technical knowledge overview of drilling challenges and design best practices
- Understanding of stimulation techniques and their role in EGS success
- Awareness of induced seismicity risks and mitigation protocols
- Insight into geothermal surface system design and efficiency evaluation
- Knowledge of geothermal integration opportunities with CCUS and hydrogen production
- Awareness of ESG requirements and the social license to operate
- Understanding of geothermal project economics and investment considerations