Houston-based Occidental Petroleum Corp. has flipped the switch on its first solar facility to directly power an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operation in the Permian Basin.

Subsidiary Oxy Low Carbon Ventures (OLCV) also signed a long-term power purchase agreement for 109 MW of solar energy beginning in 2021 for use in its Permian operations.

“Occidental is taking an important step toward realizing our aspiration to become carbon neutral through the use of emissions-free solar electricity,” CEO Vicki Hollub said. “Using solar energy in our operations is another way Oxy Low Carbon Ventures is enhancing the profitability and sustainability of our business while meeting the challenge of reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases.”