Solar Thermal Field Experience at a South Oman Oilfield
Abstract
Solar thermal energy is now available in sunny regions of the world at lower costs than thermal energy from the combustion of fossil fuels. A new type of high-temperature solar collector, “enclosed trough”, was introduced in 2011. Enclosed trough solar steam generation is now in operation at scale, replacing natural gas combustion at lower cost and reducing the carbon intensity of steam for industrial processes. Enclosed trough solar technology is characterized by its low capital cost, low land usage, high reliability and automated cleaning in high wind, high dust environments. Large-scale industrial solar steam generation has now been in operation for more than five years at a Middle Eastern oilfield, with more than three gigawatts of solar steam projects using enclosed trough technology announced and in development in the Middle East and southwest United States. This paper will provide a review of the field experience of a 100MWt solar thermal system delivering 100 bar saturated steam, which began operating in southern Oman in late 2017. The 100MWt system is the first phase of total planned 1000MWt installation, known as Miraah.