Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Deep Geothermal Drilling Works

University of York

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

17 Feb 2026 at 20:03

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

26 Sep 2025 at 15:47

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

12 May 2025 at 11:05

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of York has completed the tender process for its Deep Geothermal Drilling Works project, which forms part of its ambitious Sustainability Plan 2030 designed to achieve Net Zero. Situated in York, the project received substantial government funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to explore sustainable energy solutions via geothermal drilling. The awarded contract involves developing a deep geothermal doublet system on campus, consisting of wells more than 4km and 3km deep, to supply heat, thereby significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The procurement process utilised a competitive flexible procedure and is now in the Award stage, with the contract slated to start on 27 February 2026 and continue until the end of 2027, with options to extend for further drilling activities conditional on additional funding. The project's value is estimated at £35,000,000 excluding VAT, with an upper potential of £42,000,000, reflecting grant-funded amounts and projected extensions.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses in the geothermal and renewable energy sectors, particularly those interested in sustainable innovation and infrastructure development. With the contract awarded to P R Marriott Drilling Limited, a large-scale drilling specialist, companies with capabilities in drilling equipment, geotechnical engineering, construction, and renewable energy solutions are positioned to benefit. The project encourages collaboration for turnkey solutions, advantageous for consortia and joint ventures that specialise in complex energy projects and site-specific engineering services. The University of York, with its significant focus on research and development, offers a rare partnership avenue for engineering firms to contribute to impactful climate action projects and establish a presence in the rapidly evolving sustainable energy market within the United Kingdom.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Deep Geothermal Drilling Works

Notice Description

In 2025 the University of York ("the Authority") launched an exciting deep geothermal energy project as a transformative step in its journey to Net Zero. The project aims to cut our fossil fuel consumption by 78% as part of our Sustainability Plan 2030 targets and making a substantial contribution to reducing the City of York's overall carbon footprint. This multi-phased initiative will leverage the Earth's natural heat to provide sustainable energy solutions for our campus and potentially the wider community. The project positions the University of York, City and region as a leader in sustainable energy innovation, combining geothermal exploration with our renowned research and educational expertise. Further details regarding the project can be found on the university website here https: //www.york.ac.uk/about/sustainability/campus-operations/climate-action/geothermalenergy/ The Authority has conducted a tender process to appoint a contractor to deliver a deep geothermal doublet system consisting of a production well of more than 4km, and an injector well of more than 3km, with the aim of extracting geothermal heat to supply the Authority's campus district heat network, thereby removing the need for CHP units in an effort to meet the university's net zero goals. This phase of the project was awarded funding from the government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme in April 2025. The tender process has concluded, and a successful contractor selected to fully deliver the project, which shall involve the drilling and all associated activities. The project shall be delivered by the Authority and York University Energy Supply Company (YUESCo) which is the Authority's wholly owned subsidiary company responsible for the Authority's on-campus energy production and distribution. The Authority has sufficient funding in place to deliver the project, and is actively seeking additional funding (both internal and external) to potentially deliver a subsequent production well for research or other use. For clarity, the estimated total value stated in this notice is an estimate of maximum value covered by secured grant funds to deliver the initial two well project and ancillary projects (circ PS20,000,000 exVAT), and also an estimated value to deliver a subsequent third well should the Authority secure additional funds (circ PS15,000,000 exVAT).

Lot Information

Lot LOT-0001

Options: The University is actively seeking additional funding to drill an additional production well for research or other purposes and wishes to have a contractual option available to extend the agreement with the successful Contractor to drill an additional production well.

Renewal: The University requires drilling activity for the production and injector wells to be completed by the 31st December 2027. The University is actively seeking additional funding to drill an additional production well for research or other purposes and wishes to have a contractual option available to extend the agreement with the successful contractor on mutual agreement to drill an additional production well (estimated additional 12 month period through to 31st December 2028).

Planning Information

Engagement questionnaire responses are invited and are to be submitted by the end of Friday 23rd May 2025.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051093
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014551-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

24 - Chemical products

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

43 - Machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

76 - Services related to the oil and gas industry

CPV Codes

24951110 - Drilling mud

34514300 - Platforms drilling rigs

43132200 - Drilling rig

43132300 - Drills

43136000 - Downhole equipment

43611000 - Parts for well-drilling machinery

45000000 - Construction work

71320000 - Engineering design services

71331000 - Drilling-mud engineering services

71332000 - Geotechnical engineering services

71333000 - Mechanical engineering services

71351000 - Geological, geophysical and other scientific prospecting services

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

76211200 - Mudlogging services

76300000 - Drilling services

76410000 - Well-casing and tubing services

76420000 - Well-cementing services

76430000 - Well-drilling and production services

76440000 - Well-logging services

76450000 - Well-management services

76460000 - Well-support services

76470000 - Well-testing services

76480000 - Tubing services

76490000 - Well-completion services

76500000 - Onshore and offshore services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£35,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£35,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
£35,000,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Feb 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
17 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
2 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
17 Feb 20266 months ago
Contract Period
27 Feb 2026 - 31 Dec 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of York
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
YORK
Postcode
YO10 5DD
Postcode Area
York
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE21 York
Delivery Location
TLE21 York
Local Authority
York
Electoral Ward
Hull Road
Westminster Constituency
York Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

P R MARRIOTT DRILLING LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

Loading OCDS record...