The Haute-Sorne Project will begin in 2017 with drilling Glovelier-1 (GVL-1), the first of a 2-well geothermal doublet connected through an EGS. Once completed, water will be circulated between the two wells, in a closed-loop system used for power generation. GVL-1 will also prove the feasibility of the Geo Energie Suisse downhole heat exchanger concept.

GVL-1 will be drilled to a total vertical depth of 5 000 m. The final bottom hole static temperature (BHST) must be a minimum of 170  °C. The well will be drilled vertically until the top of the granite basement is reached. Then it will be steered to intersect a maximum number of natural fissures and deviated to 55° from vertical.

The injection/production drain will not be cased. The open hole drained will be sectioned with a completion string using water swelling elastomer and slickline operated mechanical sleeves. The planned completion design calls for 30 individual sections spread over a 1 500 m long drain. Each section will be stimulated independently by injecting defined volumes of fresh water, according to a pumping sequence yet to be defined. An extensive seismic monitoring programme is planned, that will take place before, during and after the drilling, completion and stimulation operations.