ÍSOR - Iceland GeoSurvey

Iceland GeoSurvey, ÍSOR, is a leading provider of scientific and technical expertise to the geothermal industry worldwide.

Iceland GeoSurvey, ÍSOR, is an applied research institution in the fields of energy and geoscience. Whilst it is owned by the Icelandic State, it is a self-financing, non-profit organisation that receives no direct government funding. Originally founded in 1945 as a part of the State Electrical Authority, ÍSOR instigated the systematic energy research which has been carried out ever since. ÍSOR and its predecessors have played a key role in this work from the start. As a direct result, over 65% of the primary energy use in Iceland at present has its source in geothermal energy.

ÍSOR provides consulting services in most aspects of geothermal exploration and utilisation worldwide. ÍSOR’s experience covers many other geoscience-related fields, including groundwater studies, marine geology and environmental monitoring.

ÍSOR offers expertise in consulting and execution of the following disciplines: 

• Geothermal exploration
• Drilling consultancy
• Well testing and evaluation
• Geothermal logging
• Resource assessment
• Field management
• Environmental studies
• Groundwater
• Engineering
• Geothermal training

Education and training have always been an important part of ÍSOR’s activities, as have its strong ties to the academic community. ÍSOR handles the major part of teaching at the UN Geothermal Training Programme (UNU GTP). Engineers and scientists are trained in a specialized six month programme, with some trainees continuing on to do an MSc or PhD degree in co-operation with the University of Iceland. ÍSOR has also been the primary consultant to the Icelandic International Development Agency in the field of geothermal energy.

Basic values which have guided ÍSOR’s operations are professionalism, effective work procedures, robust basic research, honesty in consultation, avoidance of conflicts of interest and a culture of decisions based on long term planning.