Chevron conducts feasibility study on concentrated solar flooding

Recently, Chevron Technology Ventures, a subsidiary of Chevron, launched a unique demonstration project to test the feasibility of using solar energy to enhance oil recovery. The project uses 7,600 mirrors to focus solar energy on a solar furnace (concentrated photovoltaic technology) and injects the generated steam into the reservoir to increase oil production. The project is currently considered to be the largest of its kind in the world. The Coalinga oil field is one of the oldest oil fields in the United States and was mined as early as the 1890s. Because the heavy crude oil in the oil field is not easy to flow, it is difficult to mine compared to lighter grades of crude oil. Chevron injects steam to heat the crude oil, thereby reducing the viscosity of the oil in the Coalinga oil field, making it easier to mine. Steam is currently generated by burning natural gas. The project will use solar steam generation as a supplement to gas steam engines to determine the commercial feasibility of using solar energy to replace natural gas to generate steam.

Chevron has signed a contract with BrightSource Energy to provide engineering, procurement and construction technical support, and the project will be operated by Chevron Technology Ventures.