WorldWide Drilling Resource

Solar Energy Coming to the Oil Field Adapted from a Press Release by GlassPoint Solar Aera Energy, one of California’s largest gas and oil producers, and GlassPoint Solar, the leading supplier of solar energy for the gas and oil industry, announced plans for California’s largest solar energy project. The integrated solar project will be the first of its kind in the world to use solar steam and solar electricity to power oilfield opera- tions, reducing carbon emissions at Belridge oil field. Once complete, the Belridge Solar project will deliver the largest peak energy output of any solar plant in California. “Aera is committed to safe, responsible operations and is thrilled to extend our environmental leadership by using solar to power our production. Adding solar energy at Belridge allows us to continue to lead the way in the safest, most environmentally- responsible energy extraction there is,” said Aera Energy President and CEO Christina Sistrunk. “The people of California are counting on us to help them get to school and work each day, allow their businesses to grow and thrive, and help get California- grown food on their dinner tables. We are proud to be an active part of California’s low carbon future and lead the industry by adopting bold solutions to deliver valuable energy more efficiently, while protecting the environment.” Belridge Solar will consist of an 850-megawatt thermal (MWt) solar thermal facility, producing 12 million barrels of steam per year, and a 26.5-megawatt electric (MWe) photovoltaic facility. The solar-generated steam and electricity will reduce natural gas currently used on-site in oilfield operations, and offset the equivalent carbon emissions of 80,000 cars. The project is ex- pected to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs in California throughout the gas and oil supply chain. “GlassPoint is thrilled to partner with Aera to scale our solar oilfield technology in California and deliver meaningful carbon reductions. By harnessing the power of the sun to produce oil, oil operators can efficiently reduce emissions using advanced technology, creating long-term benefits for the local economy and environment,” said Sanjeev Kumar, GlassPoint SVP, Americas. “Our partnership with Aera demonstrates the growing energy convergence where renewables and traditional energy leaders are working together to address some of the biggest challenges of our time.” GlassPoint’s solar technology provides low-cost renewable energy for extracting heavy oil, which accounts for half of California’s crude oil production. Heavy oil is produced by injecting steam into the reservoir to heat the oil so it can be pumped to the surface. This process, known as thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR), typically generates steam using natural gas. Aera and GlassPoint plan to break ground on the Belridge Solar plant in the first half of 2019. The project is expected to start producing steam and electricity as early as 2020. Artist rendering of the Belridge Solar Project. February 26 - 27, 2018 Grand Traverse Resort and Spa Traverse City, MI For more information, call: (855) 225-6492 or visit us online: michigangroundwater.com Educational Conference Some of our Highlights • Combined Fundamentals and MGWA Education tracks! • 2018 NGWREF McEllhiney Lecturer! • Tabletop viewing from presenters! • Annual meeting will be first thing Tuesday morning! • Lunch will be provided both days, we just ask that you pre-register! • Banquet and awards! Come and see who receives Driller of the Year award! 17 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® FEBRUARY 2018