Solar Steam Helps Coax Heavy Oil from Old Fields
Monday, April 9, 2012 - 12:01
in Physics & Chemistry
The Coalinga oil field in California has been pumping out crude since 1887, and the remaining oil has gotten heavier and heavier and harder and harder to extract--but it will soon get a boost from the sun. Specifically, the old field will use steam generated by concentrated sunlight to help melt the remaining heavy oils and make them liquid enough to be pumped to the surface. [More]