Petroleum Development Oman and GlassPoint Solar have commissioned a solar enhanced oil recovery system at Amal West oil field in southern Oman (OGJ Online, Aug. 4, 2011).
The 7-Mw system produces an average 50 tonnes/day of steam directly into existing thermal operations at the field, lowering the use of natural gas.
GlassPoint says its technology, called Enclosed Trough, can cut gas used for EOR by as much as 80%.
The technology encloses parabolic mirrors inside a glasshouse structure to protect solar collectors from wind, dust, dirt, sand, and humidity. The enclosure allows use of ultralight, low-cost reflective materials and automated washing equipment.
The steam generators are designed to use low-quality boiler water such as that used in once-through steam generators.