SEG Plans To Convert Remote Oil And Gas Fields To Solar Power
SEG, one of oil and gas companies in Uzbekistan, announces it plans to transfer electricity provision to its oil and gas training site in Karshi, to renewable energy sources - specifically solar power.
To date, 44 solar panels have been installed at the site, which together will generate up to 8KW of electricity. This power generation will cover all equipment use at the training site, which is used as part of SEG's education and training programmes for new employees.
Post-completion of the pilot project and data analysis, SEG will make a further strategic decision on equipping its other remote oil and gas fields with solar panels. This could involve up to 15 more fields being reconfigured to solar power, and to use the automated operational dispatch control (ASODU) system.
It is envisaged that the fields could become fully energy-independent and protected from conditions such as heavy winds and sandstorms, which can sometimes disrupt power supplies as overhead power lines become damaged.
Sergey Ryabov, Chief Engineer of SEG, said:
“Uzbekistan is one of the sunniest countries in the world. It makes much sense to use this natural advantage to provide electricity, and we have deliberately chosen the Karshi training ground for the pilot project. Training at the site takes place during daylight hours - when solar generation is at its optimum. This means we can avoid using batteries at their maximum, and ensure the site's continued operations. We plan full-scale pilot tests of a solar power plant at the training site, following which we can determine the potential wider use of solar panels at SEG's other production sites.
“We have two options for electricity provision at our remote sites. We can either use petroleum gas, or the energy of the sun. The relatively low cost of solar panels is offset by the cost of restoring electricity when power lines are damaged by weather events. With solar power, we can achieve around-the-clock and trouble-free power for the company's fields - in line with the state's program to improve the efficiency of oil production.”
Commissioning of the solar station at the training site is scheduled for this month (October). Further activities for the transition to renewable energy sources at the sites will be carried out by SEG in early 2023.
