At full production, Miraah will produce 6,000 tonnes of solar steam a day for the extraction of heavy oil at Amal. Additionally, it will save 5.6 trillion British Thermal Units (BTUs) of natural gas each year, freeing the precious resource up for residential, commercial or industrial use to help diversify the economy. The amount of gas saved on the Amal oil field alone could be used, for example, to provide residential electricity to 209,000 people in Oman. This is an important consideration at a time when oil operations, including steam generation for EOR, accounts for roughly 30 percent of the Sultanate’s total gas consumption. With peak domestic demand for energy in Oman projected to grow at the rate of 8% per year until 2022, solar powered oilfields are an important part of Oman’s long-term strategy, diversifying its energy mix and releasing precious gas resources to higher value applications, including power generation, desalination and industrial development.
Miraah is also expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 300,000 tons annually, which is equivalent to taking 63,000 cars permanently off Oman’s roads.
Looking ahead, Al-Sariri says, “Miraah is only the beginning for Oman’s energy convergence. Beyond EOR, our solar steam generators can be used in oil and gas applications of all sizes that require steam. The possibilities are immense and will provide long-term benefits for Oman’s renewable energy sector, local supply chain development and associated industries that need natural gas.”
Oman’s emergence as an international center for the convergence of alternative and conventional energy has economic, environmental and social implications, adding an important and far reaching aspect to the nation’s diversification strategy.
The significance of this role cannot be overstated given the 35% growth in world energy demand anticipated by the International Energy Agency, 26% of which is expected to be supplied from crude oil reserves that are largely located in countries blessed with abundant sunlight.
Put to the test in Oman’s harsh desert conditions and proven to reduce energy consumption in the oil field by 80%, GlassPoint’s technology has captured the attention of industry worldwide and positioned Oman firmly at the vanguard of energy convergence.
