The Most Advanced Drill in Human History

In the heart of Texas, Quaze is reimagining how we tap the Earth’s heat. Instead of hunting oil, this startup is chasing almost limitless geothermal energy using a radical new approach: millimetre‑wave beams that vaporise rock rather than cut it. By superheating rock to thousands of degrees, Quaze can drill deeper, faster, and with fewer mechanical limits than conventional drills, potentially reaching depths that took decades to achieve with traditional methods. The technology builds on fusion research, repurposes existing oil‑rig infrastructure, and even vitrifies borehole walls, reducing costs and stabilising the shaft. While still in R&D, Quaze has demonstrated a hybrid rig capable of combining traditional rotary drilling with its microwave system, paving the way for geothermal power extraction at superhot temperatures. If successful, this could unlock an abundant, round‑the‑clock energy source, making deep geothermal a practical reality for the first time.

Reimagining Geothermal in Texas

In the heart of Texas, where the oil industry has long defined the landscape, a startup called Quaze is taking a radically different approach to energy: tapping the virtually unlimited power of deep geothermal heat. Unlike conventional drills, which struggle to reach even 12 km below the Earth’s surface, Quaze is experimenting with a millimetre-wave beam of light capable of melting or vaporising rock. This innovation allows them to bypass the mechanical limits of traditional drilling, where torque dissipates along long steel shafts and drill bits wear out under extreme heat.

Fusion Tech Meets Drilling

Using technology adapted from fusion research, the beam can heat rock to thousands of degrees, creating a smooth, vitrified borehole lining that eliminates the need for steel casings and concrete. A mechanical scraper removes the partially melted rock, and compressed air clears debris to the surface. While the system is still in R&D, Quaze’s hybrid rigs—combining rotary drilling with millimetre-wave technology—have achieved unprecedented precision and efficiency, setting the stage for a future where superhot geothermal energy could be reliably extracted.

The Potential of Deep Geothermal Energy

The potential of deep geothermal energy is staggering. Conventional wells can deliver tens of megawatts per site, providing steady, round-the-clock power without consuming water. If widely deployed, studies estimate that accessible geothermal resources could exceed 550 terawatts globally, more than 150 times today’s annual electricity demand. Quaze’s approach aims to make this energy economical, targeting sites where conventional drilling is already challenging while refining the technology for ultra-deep, superhot conditions.

Engineering at the Edge

The engineering challenges are immense. The millimetre-wave beam requires ultra-precise mirrors to direct energy into the borehole without losing power, all under high vacuum and extreme heat. Cooling systems prevent components from melting, and the rate of penetration must be carefully calibrated to maintain the integrity of the hole. But early tests are promising: at current prototype speeds, Quaze could theoretically reach depths that took the Kola Superdeep Borehole 20 years to achieve, in just a few years—or potentially months at full power.

A New Frontier for Clean Energy

Beyond the technical feat, Quaze’s project represents a shift in energy thinking: repurposing existing oil infrastructure to access clean, renewable, and abundant geothermal power. If successful, this technology could unlock a virtually infinite energy source and redefine the future of sustainable power.