Todd Energy Tapped For New Zealand’s First 6km Deep Geothermal Well At Rotokawa

How deep can New Zealand drill to reveal a powerful new energy source? The country is about to find out. On March 11, 2026, Todd Energy was selected as the preferred lead contractor for New Zealand’s first supercritical geothermal exploration well. The well will be drilled at the Rotokawa Geothermal Reservoir in the Taupō Volcanic Zone, reaching depths of 5-6 kilometers. That’s almost double the depth of conventional geothermal wells.

Todd Energy was chosen from four applicants. MBIE’s Kānoa unit picked the company for its strong track record of completing drilling campaigns on time and on budget. Todd Energy provides its own rig, a New Zealand-based workforce, and a local supply chain. These factors reduce project risks. Contract negotiations with MBIE are now underway.

The goal is to reach supercritical fluids buried deep underground. At these depths, water exceeds its critical point at temperatures above 700°F. This transforms it into a gas-like form that holds 5-10 times more energy than conventional geothermal steam. If successful, supercritical geothermal energy could power New Zealand three times over.

The government has committed $60 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the first well. It’s part of a three-well program designed to understand the resource. Three exploratory wells have been identified as the minimum needed to fully characterize the supercritical energy resource. The project is chaired by Tim Groser, a former minister, with oversight from MBIE.

Rotokawa was chosen after extensive geological studies by Earth Sciences New Zealand. The site’s rock is highly permeable, which means fluids can flow more easily than at similar sites in other countries. The land sits within an existing geothermal field operated by Mercury, which already runs two power stations there. Unlike solar and wind power, geothermal energy offers a 96% capacity factor, operating continuously regardless of weather conditions.

Key partners include the Tauhara North No.2 Trust, MBIE, and Mercury NZ, who’ve signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The Trust has guarded these resources for generations, with historical use for cooking, bathing, and healing. A multi-disciplinary team of local and international experts is handling design, drilling, and modeling. The Trust also plays a vital role in managing ancestral lands surrounding the Rotokawa reservoir.

New Zealand pioneered geothermal energy in the 1950s-1970s, drilling over 40 wells. This project builds on that legacy. Drilling is expected to begin in late 2026, pushing the country into uncharted territory beneath the earth’s surface.