Tech Firms Adopted Oil Drilling Methods for Geothermal Power
Technology companies are using unconventional drilling to secure low-carbon energy for data center operations.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Data Centers
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Major technology firms have increasingly turned to oil and gas drilling techniques to tap geothermal energy for data centers. By utilizing horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, these companies aim to secure reliable, low-carbon power to support their expanding infrastructure.
Why it matters
Data centers require consistent, baseload renewable energy to meet surging electricity demands. Geothermal power provides a stable energy source that can be brought online faster than many other traditional renewable options.
Developers utilize horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing to access heat at greater depths. These geothermal projects require power plants to be situated directly adjacent to the well sites to function effectively.
The players
Google is a major multinational technology corporation that manages extensive data center operations and has actively sought renewable energy partnerships.
Meta
Meta is a leading technology company that owns and operates several social media platforms and large-scale digital infrastructure facilities.
Fervo Energy
Fervo Energy is a geothermal developer that utilizes advanced drilling technologies to harness heat from the earth.
Sage Geosystems
Sage Geosystems is a firm specializing in geothermal energy technology and subsurface resource development.
XGS Energy
XGS Energy is a renewable energy company focused on scaling geothermal heat extraction through innovative drilling methods.
The details
Tech giants are entering into multiple power purchase agreements with geothermal developers to meet their energy needs. The development cycle for these projects typically follows a rigorous sequence involving desktop studies, exploration drilling, appraisal, pilot testing, and final operations.
Timeline
Global geothermal financing totaled $22 million in 2018.
Google signed a geothermal deal with Fervo Energy via NV Energy in June 2024.
Meta signed a geothermal deal with Sage Geosystems in August 2024.
Meta signed a geothermal deal with XGS Energy in June 2025.
Google signed a power purchase agreement for the Cape Station project in Utah in September 2026.
The Tech Race
The industry's pivot toward utilizing hydraulic fracturing for geothermal extraction represents a shift from traditional renewable sources toward localized, high-heat energy capture. This development positions tech firms to bypass legacy limitations by treating subsurface heat as a scalable utility.
The adoption of these technologies aims to stabilize the power grid supporting digital services, potentially reducing carbon footprints for users of cloud platforms. While implementation is currently focused on large-scale infrastructure, successful deployment could improve the long-term reliability of digital services.
The takeaway
The integration of oil and gas drilling techniques into the geothermal sector offers a viable path for tech companies to achieve carbon-neutral operations. Continued investment in these subsurface technologies may prove essential for sustaining the energy-intensive data center boom.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Data Centers powering the digital economy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Power Technology.
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