Prefeasibility of implementing a small modular reactor for electric power generation in an oil field
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32685/2590-7468/invapnuclear.8.2026.771Keywords:
Small Modular Reactor (SMR), electric power, fossil energy, petroleum industry, levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), nuclear reactor
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Copyright (c) 2026 Hermes Orlando Llanes Rincon, Alison Yanith Perez Forero
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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Abstract
As part of a master's thesis conducted within the master’s program in renewable energy at Universidad del Rosario [1], a pre-feasibility study was carried out to evaluate the implementation of a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) for the continuous, low-emission, and highly reliable generation of electricity to support the production operations of an oil field, where approximately half of the energy demand is currently supplied by fossil fuels. The objective was to decarbonize the energy mix and achieve a reduction in CO₂ emissions.
The study included: (i) a review of the existing nuclear regulatory framework in Colombia and the recommendations issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); (ii) a pre-feasibility assessment of SMR deployment within the existing infrastructure of an oil field, examining technical compatibility and the potential for replacing a fossil-based energy source with an alternative characterized by significantly lower CO₂ emissions; and (iii) an analysis of operational safety under the oil field's load conditions and various failure scenarios.
The selected reactor technology was the NuScale VOYGR® 77 MWe module, based on the six evaluation parameters established by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA/OECD) and considering fossil fuel replacement scenarios like those proposed for the Canadian oil industry. The study estimated an emissions reduction of 194 thousand tCO₂e per year, together with annual economic benefits of about USD 62.6 million, supporting the investment with a payback period of less than five years and thereby confirming the advantages of the technology identified in the theoretical framework.
To support the payback period estimate, a sensitivity analysis was conducted considering variations in electricity prices (52-120 USD/MWh), discount rates (5%-10%), and capacity factors (85%-95%). Under the base-case scenario (LCOE of 65 USD/MWh, 7% discount rate, and 93% capacity factor), the investment payback period was estimated at 4.7 years. Under an adverse scenario characterized by lower electricity prices and 85% plant availability, the payback period increased to 7.2 years. These results indicate that, even under conservative assumptions, the investment remains financially attractive for replacing fossil-fuel-based power generation in oil fields.
The analysis of reactor power behavior under transient events demonstrated that the reactor is not only inherently safe by design but also operates safely under the specific load conditions of the oil field. The study found that the reactor meets high safety standards for deployment in the petroleum industry, ensuring rapid and safe shutdown in the event of various failure modes. This capability would enable the development of a diversified and resilient electricity generation portfolio, better equipped to address climate-related challenges and uncertainties associated with fossil fuel supply.
References
1] Llanes Hermes, Perez Alison, «Prefactibilidad de implementación de un pequeño reactor modular para generación de energía eléctrica en un campo petrolero», 2025. Disponible en: https://repository.urosario.edu.co/handle/10336/46568
[2] Emma Midgley, “Descarbonizar las industrias con la ayuda de microrreactores y reactores nucleares pequeños”, Boletín del OIEA, pp. 12–13, septiembre de 2023. . Disponible en: https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/23-03627sweb.pdf
[3] NuScale Nonproprietary, “NuScale SMR Technology. An ideal solution for repurposing U.S. coal plant infrastructure and revitalizing communities”, NuScale Power, LLCc, 2021. Disponible en: https://www.nuscalepower.com/hubfs/Website/Files/Technical%20Publications/nuscale-smr-technology-an-ideal-solution-for-coal-plant-replacement.pdf
[4] Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, «Delivering on the Promise of Small Modular Reactors», presentado en Delivering on the Promise of Small Modular Reactors, Viena, Austria, 2024
[5] L. Loflin, B. McRimmon, y S. Swilley, “Advanced Nuclear Technology: Advanced Light Water Reactors Utility Req uirements Document Small Modular Reactors Inclusion Summary”, Electric Power Research Institute, 3002003130, nov. 2014. . Disponible en: https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/advanced-nuclear-technology-advance d-light-water-reactors-utility-requirements-document
[6] A. Rusanov, A. Kostikov, V. Tarasova, Р. Русанов, y S. Tretiak, “The concept of creating a maneuverable power plant based on a small mo dular reactor”, Nauk. Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu, núm. 5, 2024. Disponible en: https://nvngu.in.ua/index.php/en/archive/on-the-issues/1913-2024/content-5-2024/7020-37
[7] R. Lo Frano, G. Forasassi, A. Poggianti, y M. Forni, “Seismic Safety Margin of an Isolated SMR Reactor Under Severe Earthquake”, en Small Modular Reactors Symposium, feb. 2012. disponible en: 10.1115/SMR2011-6578
[8] Office of Nuclear Energy, US Department of Energy [@GovNuclear], “More than 93% of the time, nuclear works ALL the time to bring you clean and reliable power”. Disponible en: https://x.com/GovNuclear/status/1815121844124402140
[9] Prieto Valderrama C and Patiño D (2025) Modeling the transition from coal to SMRs in Colombia: emissions avoidance under deterministic and probabilistic frameworks. Front. Energy Res. 13:1618696. doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2025.1618696
[10] International Energy Agency, “Projected Costs of Generating Electricity 2020”, Nuclear Energy Agency, France, dic. 2020. Disponible en: https://www.iea.org/reports/projected-costs-of-generating-electricity-2020
[11] OCDE, “The NEA Small Modular Reactor Dashboard: Second Edition”, OCDE; Nuclear Energy Agency, NEA No. 7671, mar. 2024. Disponible en: https://www.oecd-nea.org/jcms/pl_90816/the-nea-small-modular-reactor-dashboard-second-edition?details=true
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[13] Scott Burnell y Nuclear Regulatory Commission, “NRC Approves Standard Design for NuScale US460 Small Modular Reactor. Disponible en: https://www.nrc.gov/cdn/doc-collection-news/2025/25-033.pdf
[1] Llanes Hermes, Perez Alison, «Prefactibilidad de implementación de un pequeño reactor modular para generación de energía eléctrica en un campo petrolero», 2025. Disponible en: https://repository.urosario.edu.co/handle/10336/46568
[2] Emma Midgley, “Descarbonizar las industrias con la ayuda de microrreactores y reactores nucleares pequeños”, Boletín del OIEA, pp. 12–13, septiembre de 2023. . Disponible en: https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/23-03627sweb.pdf
[3] NuScale Nonproprietary, “NuScale SMR Technology. An ideal solution for repurposing U.S. coal plant infrastructure and revitalizing communities”, NuScale Power, LLCc, 2021. Disponible en: https://www.nuscalepower.com/hubfs/Website/Files/Technical%20Publications/nuscale-smr-technology-an-ideal-solution-for-coal-plant-replacement.pdf
[4] Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, «Delivering on the Promise of Small Modular Reactors», presentado en Delivering on the Promise of Small Modular Reactors, Viena, Austria, 2024
[5] L. Loflin, B. McRimmon, y S. Swilley, “Advanced Nuclear Technology: Advanced Light Water Reactors Utility Req uirements Document Small Modular Reactors Inclusion Summary”, Electric Power Research Institute, 3002003130, nov. 2014. . Disponible en: https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/advanced-nuclear-technology-advance d-light-water-reactors-utility-requirements-document
[6] A. Rusanov, A. Kostikov, V. Tarasova, Р. Русанов, y S. Tretiak, “The concept of creating a maneuverable power plant based on a small mo dular reactor”, Nauk. Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu, núm. 5, 2024. Disponible en: https://nvngu.in.ua/index.php/en/archive/on-the-issues/1913-2024/content-5-2024/7020-37
[7] R. Lo Frano, G. Forasassi, A. Poggianti, y M. Forni, “Seismic Safety Margin of an Isolated SMR Reactor Under Severe Earthquake”, en Small Modular Reactors Symposium, feb. 2012. disponible en: 10.1115/SMR2011-6578
[8] Office of Nuclear Energy, US Department of Energy [@GovNuclear], “More than 93% of the time, nuclear works ALL the time to bring you clean and reliable power”. Disponible en: https://x.com/GovNuclear/status/1815121844124402140
[9] Prieto Valderrama C and Patiño D (2025) Modeling the transition from coal to SMRs in Colombia: emissions avoidance under deterministic and probabilistic frameworks. Front. Energy Res. 13:1618696. doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2025.1618696
[10] International Energy Agency, “Projected Costs of Generating Electricity 2020”, Nuclear Energy Agency, France, dic. 2020. Disponible en: https://www.iea.org/reports/projected-costs-of-generating-electricity-2020
[11] OCDE, “The NEA Small Modular Reactor Dashboard: Second Edition”, OCDE; Nuclear Energy Agency, NEA No. 7671, mar. 2024. Disponible en: https://www.oecd-nea.org/jcms/pl_90816/the-nea-small-modular-reactor-dashboard-second-edition?details=true
[12] J. F. Cristo Bustos, “Proyecto de ley Nuclear. Por el cual se crea la Agencia Nacional de Seguridad Nuclear - ANSN y se establece el marco legislativo que regula las actividades que involucran el uso de las radiaciones ionizantes, los materiales nucleares y los materiales radiactivos en el territorio nacional”, Gaceta N 068 de 2025. Disponible en: https://www.camara.gov.co/ley-nuclear
[13] Scott Burnell y Nuclear Regulatory Commission, “NRC Approves Standard Design for NuScale US460 Small Modular Reactor. Disponible en: https://www.nrc.gov/cdn/doc-collection-news/2025/25-033.pdf
[14] R. von Flatern, “The Defining Series: Electrical Submersible Pumps”, Oilfield Review, 2015. Disponible en: https://www.slb.com/resource-library/oilfield-review/defining-series/defining-esp
[15] D. Claudio, “NuScale Power Overview – Energiforsk Nuclear Seminar 2021”, Nuscale, ene. 2021. Disponible en: https://energiforsk.se/media/29017/claudio_nuscale.pdf
[16] International Atomic Energy Agency, “Nuclear Technology Review 2024”, GC (68)/INF/4, sep. 2024. Disponible en: https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/gc/gc68-inf-4.pdf
