GlassPoint Solar offers new gas production possibilities at Kuwait oil conference

GlassPoint Solar, a global solar-enhanced oil recovery (EOR) firm, is touting its solar steam technology to the Society of Petroleum Engineers at Kuwait’s 2015 Oil & Gas Show and Conference, which continues through Wednesday. 

The company is showcasing a 3D virtual reality tour of its landmark Miraah project in southern Oman during the conference. Created in partnership with Petroleum Development Oman, the mega project will harness the sun’s energy to produce an average of 6,000 tons of steam per day.

The solar-generated steam lets oil manufacturers replace the valuable gas they would otherwise use in oil recovery operations. The virtual reality demonstration allows visitors to immerse themselves in what will be one of the world’s largest solar plants.

California-based GlassPoint Solar thinks the model could be put to good use in Kuwait.

“Kuwait is challenged by significant natural gas shortages, which is increasingly needed for electrical power generation,” Hussain Shehab, GlassPoint’s head for Kuwait, said. “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.”

Shehab said GlassPoint’s solar system will help the Gulf nation around that obstacle by providing the vast majority of an oilfield’s steam needs at the lowest cost. That would reduce Kuwait’s dependence on imported gas while lowering costs and offering a more environmentally friendly alternative.