Oman’s largest oil and gas producer Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has announced plans to construct a 1021MW solar thermal plant Miraah to explore oil at Amal oilfield in southern parts of the country.
GlassPoint Solar has been appointed as the developer for the facility which will utilise rays from the sun to generate steam. The steam will be used in thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to extract heavy and viscous oil from the site.
On an average, the project will be able to generate 6,000 tons of steam every day for oil production.
The project will showcase the use of solar power in the oil and gas industry, and will offer a sustainable solution for EOR steam, which is presently derived from natural gas.
Once operational, the facility will be able to conserve 5.6 trillion British Thermal Units (BTUs) of natural gas per year, enough to meet residential power requirements of 209,000 people in Oman.
PDO managing director Raoul Restucci said: "The project will provide a significant portion of the steam demand at Amal and is an important part of PDO’s production plans.
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By GlobalData"The use of solar for oil recovery is a long-term strategic solution to develop PDO’s viscous oil portfolio and reduce consumption of valuable natural gas, which is needed elsewhere to diversify Oman’s economy and create economic growth.
"It also will displace diesel and higher carbon intensive power generation and oil burning in future thermal projects.
"PDO has been a pioneering force in EOR for a number of years and it will play an increasingly important part in the Company’s portfolio, accounting for around a third of our production by 2023."
Image: Rendering of 1021MW solar thermal facility Miraah in South Oman. Photo: courtesy of GlassPoint Solar, Inc.
