GlassPoint Solar, the global leader in solar enhanced oil recovery (EOR), recently showcased its innovative solar steam technology at the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Kuwait Oil & Gas Show and Conference 2015 (KOGS), giving an opportunity to engineers, executives and students to learn how GlassPoint’s solution can empower oil producers with an economic alternative to using natural gas in heavy oil production.
At the exhibition, GlassPoint unveiled a virtual reality 3D tour of Miraah, its landmark project with Petroleum Development Oman in southern Oman. Announced in July, the mega project will harness the sun’s energy to produce an average of 6,000 tonnes of steam per day, replacing valuable gas. The virtual reality demonstration allows visitors to immerse themselves within one of the world’s largest solar plants, experiencing first-hand how solar technology can be deployed in Kuwait to achieve the country’s energy goals.
“Kuwait is challenged by significant natural gas shortages, which is increasingly needed for electrical power generation. Planned thermal EOR projects in Kuwait will require large amounts of imported natural gas or other fuel to generate steam, putting the state’s heavy oil production in competition with other gas users,” said Hussain Shehab, GlassPoint’s Kuwait country chairman. “Solar can provide the vast majority of a field’s steam needs at the lowest cost, reducing future dependence on imported gas. In light of today’s low oil prices, solar is a strategic solution to optimise production costs and strengthen energy independence.”
GlassPoint CEO Rod MacGregor commented, “The high cost of producing heavy oil coupled with year-round sunshine makes Kuwait one of the largest markets for solar powered oil production worldwide. However, high winds, dust and sandstorms create a tough operating environment for solar. GlassPoint’s enclosed trough technology has been proven to not only survive, but thrive in these harsh desert conditions. Our pilot in south Oman has exceeded performance targets for nearly three years, which led to the award of a project over one hundred times larger. The opportunity for solar EOR in Kuwait is just as massive, exceeding dozens of gigawatts of thermal demand.”
As part of KOGS, MacGregor participated on the panel session “Managing Innovation” moderated by Kuwait Oil Company and Chevron. GlassPoint also presented two co-authored technical papers “Solar Enhanced Oil Recovery Application to Kuwait’s Heavy Oil Fields” presented by VP Daniel Palmer and “Economics of Steam Generation for Thermal EOR” by Director of Sales Marwan Chaar.