First commercial deployment of all-metal Welltec Magma Packer

First commercial deployment of all-metal Welltec Magma Packer

The first-ever commercial deployment of an all-metal Welltec® Magma Packer (WMP) was completed at the Cerro Prieto Geothermal Field in Mexico on September 16, supporting the Federal Electricity Commission (Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE)) in the development and operation of reliable renewable energy. 

The WMP is a specially designed variation within Welltec’s metal expandable packer product range.  Through research initiatives supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office under Contract No. DE-EE0008484, Welltec developed the technology to operate in extreme geothermal conditions.  While the geothermal producer well in this cement assurance application will operate at temperatures as high as 230 °C / 446 °F, the WMP is qualified to 330 °C / 626 °F. 

“The successful installation of the first all-metal Welltec Magma Packer validates years of research, engineering, testing, and collaboration with industry partners,” says Yosafat Esquitin, Senior Business Development Manager at Welltec. 

“We are honored that CFE selected this technology for deployment in Cerro Prieto – one of the world’s largest geothermal fields – helping us realize this watershed moment for our New Energy and Climate Technology business segment,” adds Esquitin.

Establishing a commercial pathway in Mexico

This achievement was made possible through Welltec’s exceptional responsiveness and fast delivery, alongside the strategic purchase of the WMP by Corcovado Energy, establishing the necessary commercial pathway to market, sell, and deliver the technology in Mexico. 

The deployment lays the foundation for future geothermal opportunities in the Mexican market.  

Tailored for geothermal challenges

While Welltec has designed and delivered many other metal expandable packer solutions to geothermal markets, the WMP is distinguished by its all-metal construction, engineered to withstand extreme conditions.  The deployment at Cerro Prieto marks the transition from development and qualification to in-field application, providing important validation of the technology. 

The WMP is expanded under surface-controlled pressure to conform to casing or borehole geometry, creating metal-to-metal or metal-to-rock contact for life-of-well annular isolation.  Compatible with any base casing, it provides a cost-effective solution in geothermal applications.