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NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-ORWA-P060-2025-0028-CX
Project Name: Quaise Energy – Project Obsidian Geothermal Drilling Operation

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Project Information

NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-ORWA-P060-2025-0028-CX
Project Name

Quaise Energy – Project Obsidian Geothermal Drilling Operation
Project Type

CE
NEPA Status

Completed - Completed
Lead Office

Prineville Deschutes Field Office
Last Updated

Project Description

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is reviewing a Geothermal Drilling Operations Plan (GDOP) submitted by Quaise Energy, Inc. The proposed GDOP is entirely within a geothermal lease administered by the BLM located on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) managed lands. 

The project proposes the following exploration and drilling operations: surface geophysical surveys, construction of one (1) geothermal well pad, access road construction or improvement, one (1) geothermal resource confirmation well, two (2) auxiliary storage areas (A and B) and two (2) freshwater wells (Figure 2). The geothermal lease and the discrete well pad location(s) were chosen due to the shallow nature of the Newberry National Volcanic Monuments (NNVM) thermal gradient, caused by the Monuments active magma chamber. Such areas are described as “Known Geothermal Resource Area”, or KGRAs. The NNVM KGRA has had extensive historical exploration efforts to constrain the depth and geometry of the thermal gradient in the area, making it a feasible location for further exploration, resource confirmation, and for the potential utilization for geothermal energy.

What's New

The Bureau of Land Management has issued the final categorical exclusion and decision record for Project Obsidian. The publication of the categorical exclusion and the decision record are an interim step in the approval process, subsequent Sundry Notices and Geothermal Drilling Permits will be issued.

The decision record is appealable for a 30-day period, beginning on September 29, 2025 and ending on October 29, 2025. Per 43 CFR 3200.5(b), BLM decisions under this part are immediately effective and remain in effect while appeals are pending unless a stay is granted in accordance with 43 CFR part 4.21(b). See form 1842-1 for appeal procedures located under the documents tab to the left.

Project Location

City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
La Pine	Oregon	97739	Deschutes County

Application Information

Applicant

Quaise Energy, Inc.
Case File Number

OROR105775395
Program

Renewable Energy
Sub-Program

Geothermal

Project Dates

Start Date

9/24/2025

Project Office Information

Lead Office

Prineville Deschutes Field Office
Offices

Prineville Deschutes FO

Contacts

Contact 1 Name

Ferris Couture
Contact 1 Email

[email protected]
Contact 1 Phone