Oman is exploring the possibility of using energy from the sun to draw oil from the ground. This is part of the country’s big solar plans that are still in talks.
State-owned Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is in talks with US-based GlassPoint, to build a mega solar-based steam generation project for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) programmes. The Solar EOR project will have a capacity of about 700 megawatts to one gigawatt.
Talks are still at the nascent stages and PDO has not decided whether or not to proceed with the project.
“We are currently discussing with PDO about how they want to expand. They haven’t taken a decision yet. So, we are working together to figure out the in-country value, where it will go and how much it will cost,” said Rod MacGregor, chief executive officer, GlassPoint.
The solar EOR project will significantly reduce natural gas consumption in EOR projects, to be used for priority sectors such as power generation, industrial projects.
“Today, nearly a quarter of Oman’s gas is used for oil production, and that percentage continues to increase each year… By adopting solar steam generation, oil companies can release these valuable natural gas supplies for use in power generation, desalination or industrial development, diversifying the Sultanate’s growing economy,” said MacGregor.
GlassPoint’s seven megawatt steam generation pilot project, which can produce an average of 50 tonnes of steam per day, completed its first year of operation, exceeding all performance targets. The pilot’s success has proven solar is a viable source of steam for enhanced oil recovery projects.
“If you imagine something 100 times bigger than what we saw (pilot project of seven-10 megawatt), several studies on infrastructure and supply chains are needed,” he said.
GlassPoint has been operating in Oman since 2012.
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