Communication using electrical signals transmitted through earth formations between boreholes

An embodiment of a system for communication with a downhole component includes a downhole component configured to be disposed in a first borehole in an earth formation, the first borehole including a first electrically conductive component, and a power source electrically connected via a conductor to the first conductive component and to a second electrically conductive component disposed in a second borehole, the power source configured to induce a voltage difference between the first conductive component and the second conductive component, the voltage difference causing electrical signals to propagate along an electric circuit that includes the first conductive component, the second conductive component and a region of an earth formation between the first borehole and the second borehole. The system a processor configured to control the power source and the voltage difference to transmit an electrical signal between the downhole component and a communication device via the electric circuit.