geothermal exploration support by helicopter

🌋 Geothermal Exploration Support by Helicopter – 6 Powerful Roles in India’s Clean Energy Future

🌋 Geothermal Exploration Support by Helicopter – 6 Powerful Roles in India’s Clean Energy Future

Geothermal exploration support by helicopter enables access to remote thermal zones, sensor deployment, and fast mapping. DreamSafar.in shares 6 powerful aerial contributions to India’s geothermal mission.

🚁 Geothermal Exploration Support by Helicopter – Fueling India’s Energy Ambitions from the Air

India is slowly tapping into its geothermal potential in Ladakh, Himachal, and Jharkhand. But rough terrains and inaccessible zones limit on-ground exploration. This is where geothermal exploration support by helicopter becomes a critical enabler—transporting scientists, sensors, and survey gear into geothermal hotspots quickly and efficiently.

In this post, DreamSafar.in explores 6 powerful ways helicopters support geothermal exploration, making India’s clean energy future more achievable.


🔭 1. Aerial Access to Remote Thermal Zones

Helicopters allow teams to reach:

  • High-altitude hot springs (e.g., Puga Valley, Ladakh)

  • Forested geothermal belts (e.g., Jharkhand, West Bengal)

  • Volcanic terrain (e.g., Maharashtra’s Deccan Traps)

✅ Geothermal exploration support by helicopter overcomes logistical challenges of roadless regions


🛰️ 2. Deployment of Scientific Sensors and Equipment

Helicopters deliver:

  • Magnetotelluric (MT) stations

  • Seismic geophones and GPS arrays

  • Heat flux sensors

They also:

  • Drop equipment via winch or cargo hook

  • Support mobile geoscience labs in rugged zones

✅ Ensures safe, fast delivery of high-value instruments to unstructured terrain


📡 3. Aerial Thermal Imaging & Survey Flights

Helicopter-mounted infrared cameras detect:

  • Surface and sub-surface heat anomalies

  • Steam venting zones

  • Subduction-related fault lines

✅ Critical for creating thermal maps before exploratory drilling


📍 4. Ground Crew Support & Emergency Evacuation

Helicopters:

  • Airlift geologists, hydrologists, and drilling teams

  • Stand by for emergency medical evacuation (MEDEVAC)

  • Support food, water, and gear drops for long-term field camps

✅ Keeps geothermal exploration operations safe and logistically sustainable


🧪 5. Water Sampling & Gas Emissions Survey

Helicopters assist in collecting:

  • Hot spring water samples

  • Volcanic gas emissions (H₂S, CO₂, CH₄)

  • Soil degassing profiles

✅ Speeds up sampling across large zones, reducing team fatigue and field time


🏗️ 6. Site Selection for Test Drilling & Infrastructure

Helicopter surveys help identify:

  • Flat zones for rig setup

  • Access points for mini-grids and geothermal plants

  • Nearby terrain for geothermal-based tourism/ecotourism

✅ Plays a vital role in transitioning from survey to setup phase


🗺️ Geothermal Sites in India Using Helicopter Access

Site/Region State Use of Helicopter Support
Puga Valley Ladakh Sensor drops, thermal mapping, crew lift
Manikaran Hot Springs Himachal Pradesh Scientific team transport
Bakreshwar & Tantloi Belts Jharkhand–WB Aerial sampling, access & mapping
Tapovan, Joshimath Uttarakhand Survey and emergency backup support

💰 Cost of Helicopter-Based Geothermal Support Missions

Operation Type Approx. Cost (INR)
Sensor & Equipment Transport ₹1.5 – ₹2.5 lakh/hour
Thermal Survey Imaging Flights ₹2 – ₹4 lakh/hour
MEDEVAC and Emergency Backup ₹1 – ₹1.5 lakh per sortie
Monthly Exploration Contract ₹20 – ₹35 lakh

✅ Often funded by MNRE (Ministry of New & Renewable Energy) and state energy missions


❓ FAQ – Geothermal Exploration Support by Helicopter

❓ Is helicopter support necessary for geothermal projects?

Yes—for zones that are remote, elevated, or forested, helicopters drastically improve access, safety, and data speed.

❓ Which departments in India oversee geothermal surveys?

  • GSI (Geological Survey of India)

  • MNRE

  • ONGC (for pilot geothermal drilling)

  • State Renewable Energy Development Agencies (SREDAs)

❓ Can private geothermal developers hire helicopters?

Yes, through DGCA-approved aerial work operators with permits for survey and cargo lifting.


🔗 Useful Links – DreamSafar.in


🌐 Resources


🏷️ Tags

geothermal exploration support by helicopter, DreamSafar.in, helicopter energy survey India, geothermal access aerial, helicopter hot spring monitoring, helicopter terrain mapping geothermal


Scroll to Top