Being built at the Amal oilfield in southern Oman, Miraah will make use of solar energy to produce steam that is used in the extraction of heavy and viscous oil.
In July this year, PDO and GlassPoint Solar entered into a deal to build Miraah, which is said to become one of the world’s largest solar plants.
To be spread over an area equivalent to more than 360 football pitches, the solar facility will feature 36 glasshouses, built in succession and commissioned in modules of four.
The first module is expected to begin generating steam in 2017.
Miraah will be capable of generating close to 6,000 tons of solar steam daily for oil production, while saving 5.6 trillion British thermal units of natural gas every year.
PDO managing director Raoul Restucci said: "PDO is proud to lead the industry in deploying innovative solutions that allow us to develop our heavy oil while at the same time reduce our energy consumption and our costs.
"Miraah will provide a substantial amount of the steam demand at Amal, reducing our reliance on natural gas to make steam. The gas saved can be used by other industries to support Oman’s diversification and economic growth strategies."
Local Community Contractor, owned and operated by Omanis, is performing site grading for the project.
GlassPoint president and CEO Rod MacGregor said: "Miraah will be 100 times larger than our solar pilot at Amal, which has been operating successfully for nearly three years now.
"Miraah will generate significant value for the Sultanate by creating new opportunities in supply chain development, manufacturing capacity, employment and training. We are committed to working with local contractors throughout the value chain, from construction to the sourcing of local materials."
Image: The solar facility will feature 36 glasshouses, built in succession and commissioned in modules of four. Photo: courtesy of Business Wire.
