22 May 2013
Muscat: Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the largest producer of oil and gas in Oman, and GlassPoint Solar, the global leader in solar enhanced oil recovery, yesterday announced the successful commissioning of the Middle East's first solar enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project.
By harnessing the sun's energy with GlassPoint's Enclosed Trough technology, the solar EOR project produces a daily average of 50 tonnes of emissions-free steam that feeds directly into existing thermal EOR operations at PDO's Amal West field in Southern Oman. The 7MW system is in regular operation and recently passed its first performance acceptance test since coming online, exceeding contracted steam output by 10 per cent.
"PDO has successfully extended the life of its heavy oil assets by deploying innovative EOR technologies over the past few decades," said Raoul Restucci, Managing Director of PDO.
"The GlassPoint system is proving it can reliably fuel thermal EOR with solar power while reducing the need to burn natural gas. This solar EOR solution provides for an economically viable and environmentally sustainable long term resource to develop Oman's heavy oil portfolio, while saving valuable natural gas resources for use in other gas-dependent industries," he added. "PDO is widely recognised as the EOR pioneer throughout the Middle East," said Rod MacGregor, GlassPoint CEO. "Deploying the region's first solar EOR project further underscores its leadership and commitment to advancing new technologies that will economically expand production of existing reserves."
Ideal location
Oman is the ideal location for the application of solar EOR technology. Two other countries in the GCC--Bahrain and Kuwait--are the best candidates to take advantage of this new technology since both these countries produce heavy oil, but not enough gas, said Rod MacGregor.
Rod MacGregor said, "In the GCC, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are blessed with heavy oil, but they are not producing solar EOR technology, and are, therefore, markets we will consider in the future. Western China, Venezuela, Madagascar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait are the markets we are currently looking at."
Talking about the PDO's Amal West field pilot project, Rod MacGregor said, "Oman is blessed with year-round sunshine. Although a pioneer in producing heavy oil in the GCC, it does not have an abundance of gas, and, therefore, is the best candidate for this technology.
The challenge for the PDO project was that the location--PDO's Amal West field--is in a very remote place. It's a good 10-hour drive from Muscat and logistics was tough, but we are delighted that it has been a success. For this project in Oman, 40 per cent of the spending was done inside Oman. If we receive a full order, we hope to increase that percentage of 'in country value component' further. We hope the PDO will like the project; we will find out after the evaluation period."
Rod averred, "Deploying the region's first solar EOR project further underscores its leadership and commitment to advancing new technologies that will economically expand production of existing reserves."
About environmental impact, he said, "Unlike gas-powered units, GlassPoint solar generators produce zero emissions, making it easier for operators to comply with increasingly tight environmental regulations." He added, "Solar EOR can be a viable alternative to gas-fired steam EOR projects and the amount of gas thus saved can find other applications."
Muscat: Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the largest producer of oil and gas in Oman, and GlassPoint Solar, the global leader in solar enhanced oil recovery, yesterday announced the successful commissioning of the Middle East's first solar enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project.
By harnessing the sun's energy with GlassPoint's Enclosed Trough technology, the solar EOR project produces a daily average of 50 tonnes of emissions-free steam that feeds directly into existing thermal EOR operations at PDO's Amal West field in Southern Oman. The 7MW system is in regular operation and recently passed its first performance acceptance test since coming online, exceeding contracted steam output by 10 per cent.
"PDO has successfully extended the life of its heavy oil assets by deploying innovative EOR technologies over the past few decades," said Raoul Restucci, Managing Director of PDO.
"The GlassPoint system is proving it can reliably fuel thermal EOR with solar power while reducing the need to burn natural gas. This solar EOR solution provides for an economically viable and environmentally sustainable long term resource to develop Oman's heavy oil portfolio, while saving valuable natural gas resources for use in other gas-dependent industries," he added. "PDO is widely recognised as the EOR pioneer throughout the Middle East," said Rod MacGregor, GlassPoint CEO. "Deploying the region's first solar EOR project further underscores its leadership and commitment to advancing new technologies that will economically expand production of existing reserves."
Ideal location
Oman is the ideal location for the application of solar EOR technology. Two other countries in the GCC--Bahrain and Kuwait--are the best candidates to take advantage of this new technology since both these countries produce heavy oil, but not enough gas, said Rod MacGregor.
Rod MacGregor said, "In the GCC, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are blessed with heavy oil, but they are not producing solar EOR technology, and are, therefore, markets we will consider in the future. Western China, Venezuela, Madagascar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait are the markets we are currently looking at."
Talking about the PDO's Amal West field pilot project, Rod MacGregor said, "Oman is blessed with year-round sunshine. Although a pioneer in producing heavy oil in the GCC, it does not have an abundance of gas, and, therefore, is the best candidate for this technology.
The challenge for the PDO project was that the location--PDO's Amal West field--is in a very remote place. It's a good 10-hour drive from Muscat and logistics was tough, but we are delighted that it has been a success. For this project in Oman, 40 per cent of the spending was done inside Oman. If we receive a full order, we hope to increase that percentage of 'in country value component' further. We hope the PDO will like the project; we will find out after the evaluation period."
Rod averred, "Deploying the region's first solar EOR project further underscores its leadership and commitment to advancing new technologies that will economically expand production of existing reserves."
About environmental impact, he said, "Unlike gas-powered units, GlassPoint solar generators produce zero emissions, making it easier for operators to comply with increasingly tight environmental regulations." He added, "Solar EOR can be a viable alternative to gas-fired steam EOR projects and the amount of gas thus saved can find other applications."
© Times of Oman 2013
