Could Oil Companies Switch to “Hybrid” Solar Drilling?
It should be noted that this project is slated to provide steam to oil pumping operations in California’s Central Valley, near the cities of Fresno and Bakersfield—the second and third sunniest cities in the country, respectively. While there is an indirect correlation between solar viable areas and the presence of oil deposits, this overlap may not exist in many places. It’s also worth noting that the solar projects will include a backup natural gas generator, which will provide steam (and when the well’s dry, electricity) on days when the sun’s not shining. At this time, it’s not clear if Brightsource’s other major energy investors, BP and StatoilHydro, will follow Chevron’s lead to incorporate renewable energy into future fossil fuel projects. While there are economic and locational limitations on hybrid oil wells, leaving a legacy of renewable energy behind as the sun sets of fossil fuels may become a trend that environmentalists and energy companies can get behind.
