Chevron Technology Ventures, a division of Chevron U.S.A.
Inc. that identifies, evaluates and demonstrates emerging technologies, today
launched a unique demonstration project to test the viability of using solar
energy to produce oil. The project uses over 7,600 mirrors to focus the sun's
energy onto a solar boiler. The steam produced is injected into oil reservoirs
to increase oil production. The project is the largest of its kind in the
world.
Chevron's
solar-to-steam project uses over 7,600 mirrors to focus the
sun's energy onto a 327-foot-tall solar tower to generate
steam for
enhanced oil recovery. (Photo: Business Wire)
"Through this
demonstration, we want to determine the feasibility of
using solar power for enhanced oil recovery," said
Desmond King,
president of Chevron Technology Ventures. "This
technology has the
potential to augment gas-powered steam generation and may
provide an
additional resource in areas of the world where natural gas
is expensive
or not readily available."
One of America's
oldest oil fields, the Coalinga Field began operations
in the 1890s. Because the heavy crude oil produced at the
field does not
flow readily, it is more difficult to extract than lighter
grades of
crude.
Chevron enhances
oil production from the Coalinga Field by injecting
steam to heat the crude, thereby reducing its viscosity and
making it
easier to produce. This steam is currently generated by
burning natural
gas. The solar-to-steam project will supplement the
gas-fired steam
generators and help determine the commercial viability of
using heat
from the sun instead of natural gas to generate steam.
Throughout the
course of the day, more than 7,600 mirrors track the sun
and reflect its rays to a receiver positioned on a solar
tower. Using
heat from the concentrated sunlight, the solar tower system
produces
steam that is distributed throughout the oil field and then
injected
underground for enhanced oil recovery. The solar
demonstration generates
about the same amount of steam as one gas-fired steam
generator.
"Our region
has a long history of pioneering innovative technologies,"
said Bruce Johnson, vice president of Chevron's San Joaquin
Valley
business unit. "The work we are doing at Coalinga
continues that
tradition, enabling us to examine a new technology that
could have
significant implications for heavy-oil production."
Chevron contracted
BrightSource Energy, Inc., as the technology provider
and for engineering, procurement and construction. The
project will be
operated by Chevron Technology Ventures.
Chevron Technology
Ventures (CTV), a division of Chevron U.S.A Inc.,
champions innovation, commercialization and integration of
emerging
technologies and related new business models within Chevron.
CTV is
pursuing this goal through business units involving biofuels,
emerging
energy and venture capital.