Didn't Gail say that 80,000 bpd of crude was produced with 90% water cut? That would produce about 720,000 Bbl/d (30,000 Bbl/hr)of water at a 230 F in-hole temperature. Let's say the water arrives at 194 F (90 C) on the surface gathering tank after heat losses in the gathering process.

At 350 lb per barrel they're handling 10.5 x10^6 lb/hr. If this is cooled from 90 C to 50 C (122 F) for treatment, this is equivalent to 10.5 x 10^6 x 72 F = 756 x 10^6 Btu/hr. At a "heat rate" of 15,000 Btu/hr/kw (not counting the harvesting of CAPE in the atmosphere) , were looking at a potential of generating 50 x 10^3 kw = 50 MW TODAY, from material that is already being gathered and which constitutes a minor fraction of the overall field.

During the summer, this output could be nearly doubled during "high demand" peaks, from the heat contained in the troposphere.

To me, it doesn't matter what Chevron can be legally compelled to do. They are broadcasting commercials on television trying to convince everyone how "green" they are with they're "willyoujoinus" campaign, even saying it was important to use "less" energy.

The question then becomes: "Will they put their money where their mouth is?" If so, even I might consider joining up.