The Energy Convergence - GineersNow The Energy Convergence - GineersNow | Page 19

outdoor solar thermal systems. As a result,
cost reductions include everything from
shipping to installation.
The Sultanate of Oman’s largest oil producer,
Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Royal
Dutch Shell and the State General Reserve
Fund of Oman have all backed GlassPoint and
its solar oilfield technology. After successfully
commissioning the world’s first solar EOR
project in California, GlassPoint began
working with PDO on a pilot plant to test the
commercial viability of using solar generated
steam for heavy oil extraction. Construction
of the pilot was completed on time and within
budget with zero Lost Time Injuries (LTI) in
December 2012. The seven megawatt solar
pilot plant continues to operate successfully,
producing 50 tonnes of steam a day and
paving the way for Oman’s future solar energy
efforts. As a result of the successful pilot
project, PDO awarded GlassPoint a contract
to develop Miraah, a landmark solar project
more than 100 times bigger than the pilot.
Currently under construction, Miraah will
be one of the world’s largest solar plants,
delivering over one gigawatt of peak thermal
energy and generating 6,000 tonnes of steam
per day. Once complete, Miraah will save 5.6
trillion British Thermal Units (BTUs) of natural
gas annually. This same amount of gas could
be used to provide residential electricity to
209,000 people in Oman. The project is also
expected to reduce carbon emissions by over
300,000 tons annually, which is equivalent to
taking 63,000 cars permanently off the roads.
Oil & Gas Leaders • June 2017
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